Light white

Description

An unstandardized name for a white pigment, usually thought to be Silver nitrate. Light white is described as the precipitate that is formed when silver is dissolved in Nitric acid, then washed and dried. This precipitate, silver nitrate, was also sold under the names of white silver and Ackermanns white, as a watercolor pigment. Silver nitrate, however, turns dark on exposure to air and is not considered permanent.

Resources and Citations

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• R.D. Harley, Artists' Pigments c. 1600-1835, Butterworth Scientific, London, 1982