The Maya blue hybrid pigment is a predecessor of the modern nanocomposite. It is made of indigo and different types of clay. In this article, scientists unveil the secrets behind the synthesis of Maya blue and its use in Pre-Columbian and Colonial codices using non-invasive techniques. Continue reading Maya in blues. Investigations on Maya blue shades in Mesoamerican codices
Historically, artists have used arsenic pigments, among other poisonous materials, since antiquity. Beautiful but deadly arsenic pigments were not only dangerous for the artists but also are dangerous for the objects: they can readily degrade and react with other components of the complex paint system, producing irreversible damage. Continue reading Deadly beautiful pigments: How arsenic sulfide pigment degradation affects the degradation of paintings
With all those artists’ materials out there, why not talk about the chemistry of them? Colorful pigments, such as these Co(II)-based ones, are great educational tools for theory, synthesis, or analysis. Continue reading Cobalt pigments as teaching tools
Heritagebites: Easy-to-digest research summaries in cultural heritage research 