A natural mineral, it was unpopular in oil paint because of its coarse granules, but worked well in water-based media. It faded from use after a brief revival in the 19th century.
van Eyck
First imported through Venice by 1300, it became more precious than gold until it could be made synthetically from 1830. The queen of pigments.
The red that lasts hundreds of years without fading, but it’s a highly toxic salt of mercury. Used in European paintings from the Romans to the late 19th century.
More secular stories from Belgian coal mines, the Kalevala, Nabi public gardens, family life, to the 12 panels of the Ghent Altarpiece and Japanese woodblock prints.
One for sorrow, two for joy, according to the rhyme. Magpies play cameo roles in several major paintings, as shown here.
A small selection of favourites from its huge and eclectic collection, from Duccio in about 1310 to Joseph Wright of Derby and a gem from Thomas Jones.
Paintings by Jan van Eyck, Masaccio, Tintoretto and Delacroix with detailed explanations of their reading and background.
Huge divans, closed wooden cabinets, and iron bedsteads. In love, marriage, adultery, problem pictures, and the erotic.
From depth cues used by painters in ancient times, through the many advances in the Northern Renaissance, to modern photographic projections.
Optical principles are straightforward, but can become extremely complex in practice. Examples from Jan van Eyck to Hodler and Signac.
The Eclectic Light Company 