A Whiter Shade of Pale

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

White Rockets and Fruit 1869 Henri Fantin-Latour

The influence and importance of colors throughout mankind’s history cannot be overstated. One of those colors that has greatly impacted the worlds of commerce, beauty, health and even war, is white. Its history dates back to ancient Egypt, in the form of Lead White. Considered the greatest of all the whites, Lead White is also undoubtedly, the most savage.

Beyond artists’ pigments, lead was used extensively, from the water pipes of the Roman Empire to cosmetics for women dating back to 1000 BC. Its dangers were known and could hardly be ignored, with those working with it suffering nerve damage, gastrointestinal issues, kidney failure, psychosis and sometimes, death. Pliny warned of the danger of ingesting it in his 37-volume, Natural History, published in 77 AD. The warnings were not enough to temper its use. Its commercial value was great and it continued to be used in house paints, plumbing, cosmetics, ceramics …