Scientists have discovered poison in Rembrandt's world-famous painting

The Dutch Golden Age, famous for its artistic excellence, also had its hidden sides. Recently, researchers discovered one of these dark sides when they found toxic pigments in Rembrandt's painting The Night Watch.

Sciencealert reported on this.

Chemists from the State Museum and the University of Amsterdam examined Rembrandt's painting as part of the Operation Night Watch project and found that the artist used an unusual mixture of pigments to create a golden hue. These pigments included lead-tin yellow and red-orange pigments containing arsenic and sulfur.

The use of such toxic substances in 17th-century painting was more widespread than previously thought. Researchers point out that the presence of pararealgar (a red-orange pigment containing arsenic) in European paintings has been confirmed in only a few cases.

This discovery expands our understanding of Rembrandt's palette and his creative methods. Perhaps he was an innovator, experimenting with new pigments, or he simply used the materials available at the time.

The discovery of toxic pigments in the painting also raises questions about the safety and preservation of artworks. Although these substances do not pose an immediate threat to museum visitors, they can be dangerous for restorers and researchers who work with paintings.

This study reminds us that art, even as beautiful as The Night Watch, can hide its dark secrets. It also shows how important scientific research is for understanding history and preserving cultural heritage.