came across this article about the methods which were employed in creating those stunning pigments which have managed to still dazzle 500 years after their application. an art historian happened upon an ancient inventory from a venetian seller of artists’ pigments which shed some light on practices which have been essentially lost to time. quote: “this inventory of artists’ materials could hold the answer to a question that had long vexed conservation scientists- how did venetian renaissance painters create the strong, clear, and bright colors that make objects and figures in their paintings appear to glow?” it’s interesting because back when art was still considered a “trade” artist’s methods were appropriately guarded as trade secrets. the main secret laid bare thus far? glass.