Rembrandt's paintings are characterized by contrasting dark and light colors and a three-dimensional effect. At the time artist had to create the colors used in their paintings by themselves, constantly experimented with new mixtures and pigments to create interesting colors or effects. They discovered traces of plumbonacrite, a mineral containing carbon, hydrogen, lead and oxygen. Nowadays it is used as industrial produced "Modern Lead White" pigment and as a stabilizing element for other paints. Based on historical texts, the scientists believe that Rembrandt added on purpose lead oxide, derived from galena ores, to the oil for the impasto.

Source: Forbes January 21, 2019 13:04 UTC