Difference between revisions of "Category:Red lead: Ukiyo-e colorant"

Red lead 鉛丹(entan): The common name for a heavy, opaque, orange-red pigment composed of Lead tetroxide. Although chemically equivalent to the mineral minium, red lead has been synthetically prepared by roasting lead white (480 C) since before the 5th century BCE. Red lead and lead white can discolor and darken when exposed to Hydrogen sulfide.

Red lead has been continously used, as one of the first colorants to be used in early handcolored prints to printed red lead which can be a light pink orange to a reddish orange. (is the light pink orange, a mixture with white lead?) Like lead white, red lead also darkens with enivronmental exposure to hydrogen sulfide but it is thought that some red lead was intentionally darkened to create a dark gray metallic sheen. Acetic acid would be applied to the area and then exposed to hydrogen sulfide, mostly in the form of rotten eggs.

For more information see: Red lead

Examples of Red lead in Ukiyo-e Prints

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Analysis

X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect lead, which in a red or pink area, is an indication for the presence of red lead (Pb₃O₄).

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  XRF spectrum of red lead

Other Images of Red lead

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  Red lead

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  Red lead

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  Red lead

List of Prints

List of prints where indigo was detected