Lead white: Ukiyo-e colorant
Lead white 鉛白 (enpaku): A white pigment composed of basic lead carbonate. Lead white has been prepared synthetically from Classical antiquity by exposing metallic Lead to Vinegar (Acetic acid) vapour. Lead white and red lead can discolor and darken when exposed to Hydrogen sulfide.
On a print the color white is usually unprinted paper, however, sometimes lead white was used to set apart fields of white from the paper's natural tone. More frequently, it has been found mixed with other colorants, in order to lighten a color or lend opacity. Most frequently, it appears to have been mixed with red lead to create a light pink color, often seen in wooden architectural elements. Sometimes lead white, like calcium carbonate was spattered across the surface of a complete print in order to approximate the appearance of snow or sea spray. Darkening of lead white has been observed in areas where it was printed alone and in mixtures. It is often this discoloration or darkening that leads to its preliminary identification of its presence.
For additional information see: Lead white
Examples of Lead white in Ukiyo-e Prints
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Analysis
X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect lead (Pb), which in a white area, is an indication for the presence of lead white (2PbCO3·Pb(OH)2).
XRF spectrum of lead white
Images of Lead white
Lead white
Lead white at 200x
Lead white at 200x, polarized light
Lead white, by National Museum of American History
Lead white (audio), by Harvard Art Museums
List of Prints
Below is a list of prints where lead white was detected.
Pages in category "Lead white: Ukiyo-e colorant"
The following 41 pages are in this category, out of 41 total.
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- Harunobu, A Young Woman in a Summer Shower, 11.19430
- Harunobu, Courtesan and Kamuro Looking at the Face of a Komusô Reflected in a Mirror, 45.833
- Harunobu, Courtesan Reading a Letter by Moonlight Reflected on Snow; Parody of Son Kang, 11.19438
- Harunobu, Courtesan Riding a Carp and Reading a Letter; Parody of the Immortal Qin Gao, 06.969
- Harunobu, Ebisu and Ofuji, from the series The Seven Gods of Good Fortune in the Modern World, 34.343
- Harunobu, Nishikigi of the Kanaya Lighting Incense beside a Mosquito Net, 11.16479
- Harunobu, Osen of the Kagiya and a Young Man with a Cat, 11.19496
- Harunobu, Parody of the Well-curb Episode from Tales of Ise, 11.19459
- Harunobu, The Sake Cup, sheet 4 of the series Marriage in Brocade Prints, the Carriage of the Virtuous Woman, known as the Marriage series, 11.19475
- Harunobu, Young Couple with Bush Clover; Parody of the Musashi Plain Episode of Tales of Ise, 11.19454
- Hokusai, Act XI, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17499
- Hokusai, Ariwara Narihira, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17502
- Hokusai, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17501
- Hokusai, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 21.10217
- Hokusai, Chinese Boys Pulling a Cart, 11.15012
- Hokusai, Kajikazawa in Kai Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6773
- Hokusai, Mount Fuji under High Bridge, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6675
- Hokusai, Procession of a Daimyô Passing Shinagawa on the Way to Kyoto, from the series Newly Published Perspective Pictures, 21.10203
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of Chûshingura, 11.17612
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, 11.17690
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, 11.17691
- Hokusai, Ushigafuchi at Kudan, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6674
- Hokusai, View of Koshigoe from Shichiri-ga-hama, 34.327
- Hokusai, Ôkuninushi no Mikoto, the White Hare of Inaba, and the Crocodiles, 21.9245
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- Kiyonaga, A Matchmaking Meeting at a Teahouse by a Shrine, 21.5574
- Kokan, Couple Cooling Off on a Garden Bench, 11.19524
- Komatsuken, Young Man as the Bodhisattva Monju, 11.30137
- Komatsuken, Young Woman as the Bodhisattva Fugen, 11.30136
- Koryusai, Twilight Snow of the Bride, from the series Eight Views of Fashionable Human Relations, 11.19541
- Kunisada, Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason: (Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as) Seigen, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems, 11.42663
- Kuniyoshi, (Actor Ichikawa Ebizô V as) Inuyama Dôsetsu, from the series The Lives of Eight Brave and Loyal Dog Heroes, 11.28841
- Kuniyoshi, The Ninth Hour: Noon; Woman Playing with Cat, Fishmonger and Dog, from the series Sundial of Modern Tradesmen, 11.15955
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- Shigenobu I, Puppy Playing with a Ball, 21.9257
- Shunkō, Actors Nakamura Nakazô I and Ôtani Hiroji III, 11.2014
- Shunshō, Actor Segawa Kikunojô III as Shirokiya Okoma, from the series Fans of the East, 11.14871
- Shunshō, No. 3, Comparative Poems, from the series Six Types of Waka Poetry as Described in the Preface of the Kokinshû, 11.19295