Grain clair

Dutch Pink. Yellow colorant of vegetable origin, obtained from a plant of the Ramnaceae family (commonly known as spincervino and scientifically called Rhamnus catharticus), which gives berries (known as Avignone grains) containing a greenish yellow coloring matter. The coloring principle is called rhamnetin. Precipitating the decoction of these grains with alum and clay, a lacquer is obtained, whose tonality varies from light yellow to dark greenish yellow, according to the maturation level of the berries. Known since antiquity and used extensively from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century has found particular use in the dyeing of textiles in artistic techniques its use was essentially limited to the art of miniature. Although sporadically, it has also been used in tempera and oil techniques, especially for glazing. Recipes for its manufacture are found in various ancient treatises, starting from De arte illuminandi (second half of the fourteenth century).