Rereading the Preparation methods of Minium, Vermilion and Realgar Based on the Text of Ten Historical Treatises from the 4th to the 11th Century AH

Document Type : Review paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Iran University of Art, P. O. Code: 1136813518, Tehran, Iran.

2 Faculty of Theoretical Science & Higher Art Studies, Iran University of Art, P. O. Code: 1136813518, Tehran, Iran.

3 Color Physics Faculty, Department of Color control and Color Reproduction, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 1668836471, Tehran, Iran.

10.30509/jscw.2024.167329.1193

Abstract

Investigation on the methods of production and preparation of art materials based on the text of historical treatises, in addition to introducing the techniques, principles, and secrets of past artists, can be used for the study of technology, diagnosis, provenance, authenticity and providing suitable methods in the field of conservation and restoration. The spectrum of red colors has long been one of the most important and widely used colors in Iranian painting and book design. In this research, the principles of production and preparation of vermilion (HgS), minium or red lead (Pb3O4), and realgar (As4S4) pigments have been investigated based on the text of ten treatises belonging to the 4th to 11th A.H. centuries (11th to 18th AD) (Umdat al-Kottab, Bayan al-Senaat, Jowhare-e, Savad al-Khat, Medad al-Khotout, Qanun al-Sovar, Golzar-e Safa, Adab al-Khat, Heliyyat al-Kottab, and Golestan-e Honar) with a descriptive-analytical method. In general, different production and preparation methods, including raw materials, firing, and acid washing for these pigments are mentioned in the treatises.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Studies in Color World
Volume 14, Issue 3
October 2024
Pages 237-252

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 18 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 18 August 2024

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