The pigments used to illustrate seven Gutenberg Bibles have been identified by British researchers. Since the bibles are around 600 years old these findings will inform curators as to how best to approach preservation.
This is so interesting… I was specially intrigued by the red pigment which seems to be organic, extrated from plants or animal, and is still to be identified.
A native brazilian tree called “Pau-Brasil” – Brazil Wood (Caesalpinia echinata) was highly explored (almost to extinction), because of its red pigment used in fabrics and paper. It was a sign of status in the 16 century european courts.
The interesting fact is that when our country was “discovered” by a portuguese expedition in 1500. Only 2 years after the discovery, the wood was already being exported to Europe! Historians believe that there were already other explorers who came to Brazil before 1500 and already knew about the red dye.
There are many efforts now to restore the natural forest vegetation of this really slow growing tree. I would love to see a piece of fabric with this dye, cause the wood is absolutely lovely.
This is so interesting… I was specially intrigued by the red pigment which seems to be organic, extrated from plants or animal, and is still to be identified.
A native brazilian tree called “Pau-Brasil” – Brazil Wood (Caesalpinia echinata) was highly explored (almost to extinction), because of its red pigment used in fabrics and paper. It was a sign of status in the 16 century european courts.
The interesting fact is that when our country was “discovered” by a portuguese expedition in 1500. Only 2 years after the discovery, the wood was already being exported to Europe! Historians believe that there were already other explorers who came to Brazil before 1500 and already knew about the red dye.
There are many efforts now to restore the natural forest vegetation of this really slow growing tree. I would love to see a piece of fabric with this dye, cause the wood is absolutely lovely.