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The National Gallery of Art is sitting on a goldmine of 21,000 paints, varnishes, pigments and primers

A great article about a museum collection of the pigments in artists’ paint tubes, preserved for posterity (more pix at the link). From Atlas Obscura

One of the lesser known collections at the National Gallery of Art lies behind an unmarked door in the employees-only section, where conservators have amassed an unrivaled hoard of 21,000 paints, varnishes, pigments and primers.

Drawers of samples of dried paint on glass slides - photo by Elliot Carter
Drawers of samples of dried paint on glass slides – photo by Elliot Carter

The boxes are organized by brand and color - photo by Elliot Carter
The boxes are organized by brand and color – photo by Elliot Carter

 

A vivid artificial yellow - photo by Elliot Carter
A vivid artificial yellow – photo by Elliot Carter

 

Detail of paint jars - photo by Elliot Carter
Detail of paint jars – photo by Elliot Carter

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