Between Fig Milk and Fish Stones: Remaking Pearlessence from the Ocean

by Ruth Bryant

This blog post explores three fifteenth-century recipes for imitation pearls, examining how artisans mimicked natural materials and engaged with naturalistic knowledge during the Renaissance and Early Modern Period. Through hands-on experimentation and historical reconstruction, the project investigates the processes of making and various materials that affect the visual and physical qualities of the remade pearl. By comparing the outcomes of different recipes, this work reflects the meaningful convergence between artistic and naturalistic knowledge and practice. This project was conducted at the University of Utrecht’s ArtLab in the context of the RMA in Art History, in collaboration with the DURARE project.

Speculation Under Lab Conditions

by Amy Johnson and Grace Kim-Butler

A workshop in the Sense and Speculation series August 28-29, 2024 at the Utrecht University ArtLab

On Mordants of Splendor 

By Jan van Daal

Using three recipes from De diffirentia exaurationis in order to mordant and adhere gold leaf to different surfaces.

Hands-On With Textile Mordants:More Than Meets the Eye

Using plant-derived and metal based mordants for dyeing textiles with weld dye stuff.

Making Scents of the Past (eng)
Making Scents of the Past (nl) Vervlogen geuren distilleren in het KunstLab

Made in collaboration between Het Geheugen van Geur and DURARE to reconstruct a seventeenth-century scent based on Constantijn Huygens’ ‘fragrant water’ recipes.