The Strauss Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at Stanford University is home to the rarest , most unusual paintings in the world . , I’ve got to say, but it was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.” This pigment library stores an unparalleled collection that is mainly used for scientific research , notably that of analysis . These pigments were collected by the late Edward Forbes , director and historian at the university who travelled the world in order to validate classical Italian paintings from the Renaissance by sampling their paint composition . His collection grew over the years to 2,500 pigments , each with its own provenancnce and history . Notable examples include Brazilwood , Mummy Brown , Synthetic Ultramarine and Blue Lazuli , being some of the rarest and most interesting examples held in this vault . Indeed , Lapiz Lazuli was so prized once that " people would mine it in China , ship it across Europe , and it was more expensive than gold , so it would have it 's own budget line on a commission , " according to Narayan Khandekar , Director of the Strauss Center .
The Strauss Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at Stanford University is home to the rarest , most unusual paintings in the world . This pigment library stores an unparalleled collection that is mainly used for scientific research , notably that of analysis . These pigments were collected by the late Edward Forbes , director and historian at the university who travelled the world in order to validate classical Italian paintings from the Renaissance by sampling their paint composition . His collection grew over the years to 2,500 pigments , each with its own provenancnce and history . Notable examples include Brazilwood , Mummy Brown , Synthetic Ultramarine and Blue Lazuli , being some of the rarest and most interesting examples held in this vault . Indeed , Lapiz Lazuli was so prized once that " people would mine it in China , ship it across Europe , and it was more expensive than gold , so it would have it 's own budget line on a commission , " according to Narayan Khandekar , Director of the Strauss Center .