Burgundy turpentine

Description

A turpentine produced from the steam distillation of the balsam from the French Maritime pine trees, Pinus maritinus. The raw balsam, called Bordeaux turpentine, also produces the non-distilled residue called Burgundy pitch which is used as a cement. Burgundy turpentine, also called French turpentine, has a fine, light odor. For a long time French turpentine had a reputation as the best material for paintings, but it is now thought to be similar to Venice turpentine.

Synonyms and Related Terms

trementina di Borgogna (It.); French turpentine; Borbeaux turpentine

Resources and Citations

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

• Kurt Wehlte, The Materials and Techniques of Painting, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1975

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