DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62783#0057
IN FRESCO PAINTING.
xlvii
was not Cobalt, the poisonous nature of which was well known to
Matthioli. In another place (p. 1415, line 58) he gives the name of
Verde Azzurro to the Armenian Stone, which sufficiently identifies
these minerals. Laguna, the Spanish commentator on Diosco-
rides, is still more precise, he says, “ This kind of stone resembles
much in its colour Chrysocola, and that is considered the best which
is green with a mixture of blue. From whence I am persuaded that
the common stone which is found in so many mines, of which the
perfect colour Verde Azul is made, is a species of the Armenian
Stone.”—p. 539. See, also, Dr. Holland’s Translation of Pliny, p.
531, where he calls this pigment Verd’ Azzur.
Matthioli observes (p. 1413) that the Arabs confuse the Pietra
Cerulea, by which he means Lapis Lazuli, with the Armenian Stone;
indeed the resemblance between all these minerals is so great, that
they can scarcely be distinguished by inspection. I have a specimen
of ore which one mineralogist pronounced to be the Blue Carbonate
of Copper, while another to whom it was shewn called it Lapis
Lazuli. The only apparent difference between the indurated Blue
Carbonate of Copper and Lapis Lazuli appears to be the presence or
absence of the spots or veins of gold which are always found in the
finest coloured specimens. The Lapis Lazuli may be distinguished
from the Carbonate of Copper by subjecting it to the action of fire.
The former will be unchanged, but the latter turns black.—See
Massoul, pp. 166, 176. Let us hear what Matthioli, speaking of the
stone to be used as a medicine, says of the Pietra Cerulea, “ It is
true that that stone which sparkles with gold should be used ; be-
cause the others with which the apothecaries, and those who prepare
Azzurn in Germany are always provided, are not nearly so benefi-
cial.” He also says, “ he has seen great quantities of Armenio and
Ceruleo in silver mines, in a great many places in Germany, but he
never found any which was veined with gold.” Cennino (chap. 60)
mentions Azzurro della Magna in nearly the same terms. Matthioli
continues, “ That which is called Ultramarine, and which is made of
the true Lapis Lazuli from gold mines, is in great esteem, because it
surpasses in goodness and in colour all the Azzurri in the world.”
The Ceruleo was probably the indurated blue carbonate of copper,
which much resembles the Lapis Lazuli.—See Massoul’s Art of
xlvii
was not Cobalt, the poisonous nature of which was well known to
Matthioli. In another place (p. 1415, line 58) he gives the name of
Verde Azzurro to the Armenian Stone, which sufficiently identifies
these minerals. Laguna, the Spanish commentator on Diosco-
rides, is still more precise, he says, “ This kind of stone resembles
much in its colour Chrysocola, and that is considered the best which
is green with a mixture of blue. From whence I am persuaded that
the common stone which is found in so many mines, of which the
perfect colour Verde Azul is made, is a species of the Armenian
Stone.”—p. 539. See, also, Dr. Holland’s Translation of Pliny, p.
531, where he calls this pigment Verd’ Azzur.
Matthioli observes (p. 1413) that the Arabs confuse the Pietra
Cerulea, by which he means Lapis Lazuli, with the Armenian Stone;
indeed the resemblance between all these minerals is so great, that
they can scarcely be distinguished by inspection. I have a specimen
of ore which one mineralogist pronounced to be the Blue Carbonate
of Copper, while another to whom it was shewn called it Lapis
Lazuli. The only apparent difference between the indurated Blue
Carbonate of Copper and Lapis Lazuli appears to be the presence or
absence of the spots or veins of gold which are always found in the
finest coloured specimens. The Lapis Lazuli may be distinguished
from the Carbonate of Copper by subjecting it to the action of fire.
The former will be unchanged, but the latter turns black.—See
Massoul, pp. 166, 176. Let us hear what Matthioli, speaking of the
stone to be used as a medicine, says of the Pietra Cerulea, “ It is
true that that stone which sparkles with gold should be used ; be-
cause the others with which the apothecaries, and those who prepare
Azzurn in Germany are always provided, are not nearly so benefi-
cial.” He also says, “ he has seen great quantities of Armenio and
Ceruleo in silver mines, in a great many places in Germany, but he
never found any which was veined with gold.” Cennino (chap. 60)
mentions Azzurro della Magna in nearly the same terms. Matthioli
continues, “ That which is called Ultramarine, and which is made of
the true Lapis Lazuli from gold mines, is in great esteem, because it
surpasses in goodness and in colour all the Azzurri in the world.”
The Ceruleo was probably the indurated blue carbonate of copper,
which much resembles the Lapis Lazuli.—See Massoul’s Art of