Abstract
Glass-based pigments have an important role in the panorama of artistic production due to the fact that their manufacturing processes involve a combination of different skills and understanding, and they have a role in disciplines ranging from glass technology to metallurgy, from glazed ceramic to stone imitation and from vitreous mosaic tesserae to painting materials. The main goal of this manuscript is to present a critical review of the literature relating to blue smalt and “yellow glass” (lead–tin yellow type II) pigments: presenting their historical background, the analytical protocol, the processes of alteration and decay and finally tracing issues. Several case studies analyzed by the authors will be presented. Particular attention was devoted to the correlation between micro-textural features and decay processes affecting the studied pigments, though the widespread heterogeneity of the analyzed materials and the variability of the artistic techniques in which the pigments were used as well as the effect of the relevant (micro-)environmental conditions dictate a cautious approach. These studies are presented in the context of information about the chain of production, the selection of the raw materials and relevant provenance studies.
Highlights
Potential connections among several fields in the technological processes linked with the manufacture of different types of materials and products represent an intriguing research opportunity
In another case study (Costantini et al 2020), the darkening associated with this glass pigment was explained as the total transformation of white lead mixed with lead–tin yellow type II even if no traces of the original white pigment have been detected
Glass-based pigments represent a particular aspect of artistic production because they bring together pre-industrial knowhow from different fields and highlight the links that existed in the past between different productions
Summary
Potential connections among several fields in the technological processes linked with the manufacture of different types of materials and products represent an intriguing research opportunity. The objective of this manuscript is to give an overview of the possible uses of glass-based colouring materials through the discussion of the particular characteristics of blue smalt and lead–tin yellow type II and their use in painting. Tite et al (2008, and references contained therein) report an early fifteenth-century recipe for the production of lead–tin yellow for glasses where a two-stage process is mentioned.
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