Vert antique

Description

A dark brown, black, or green synthetic patina for bronzes. The black or brown vert antique finishes were made by heating a portion of the bronze with a blow torch then painting the hot metal with an alkaline potassium sulfide solution. To form greenish or reddish colors, solution of copper nitrate or copper sulfate, respectively, are applied (Mayer 1945). Green vert antique finishes have also been simulated using multiple layers of casein paints.

Synonyms and Related Terms

vert-antique; vert antique (Fr.)

Additional Information

R.Mayer, The Artists Handbook, Viking Press, New York, 1945.

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000