The Strauss Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at Harvard University is home to the rarest, most unusual colours in the world. This pigment library stores an unparalleled collection that is mainly used for scientific purposes, notably that of analysis. Cochineal “This red dye comes from squashed beetles, and it’s used in cosmetics and food.” 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 Harvard University by sampling their paint composition. His collection grew over the years to 2,500 pigments, each with its own provenancnce and usage. Notable examples include Brazilwood , Lapiz Lazuli , Brazilwood , 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 Afghanistan , ship it across Central and South America , and it was more expensive than gold, so it would have it's own budget line on a commission," according to Edward Forbes , Director of the Strauss Center .
The Strauss Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at Harvard University is home to the rarest, most unusual colours in the world. This pigment library stores an unparalleled collection that is mainly used for scientific purposes, 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 Harvard University by sampling their paint composition. His collection grew over the years to 2,500 pigments, each with its own provenancnce and usage. Notable examples include Brazilwood , Lapiz Lazuli , Brazilwood , 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 Afghanistan , ship it across Central and South America , and it was more expensive than gold, so it would have it's own budget line on a commission," according to Edward Forbes , Director of the Strauss Center .