A First Approach to the Study of Winsor & Newton’s 19th-Century Manufacture of Madder Red Lake Pigments

This paper focuses on the first investigation of 19th-century manufacture red lake pigments obtained from madder by Winsor & Newton (W&N), prominent artists’ colourman at that time. The approach to their was carried out studying entries company’s book P1, found in W&N 19th Century Archive Database. Eleven production records were discovered under names such as Rose Madder, Madder Carmine, Lake and Rose. Three main methods synthesis identified reproduced, revealing three steps: washing roots (Rubia tinctorum L.); extraction acid media complexation with Al3+ using alum; precipitation addition salts ammonium carbonate sodium borate. syntheses followed UV-VIS spectroscopy, further characterised colourimetry, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). They all exhibited a rose hue highly insoluble aluminate matrix. Although dye incomplete, alizarin, purpurin pseudopurpurin identified. An analytical comparison oil paint tube also performed micro-FTIR microspectrofluorimetry. work intends be foundational systematic study W&N’s colours aiming contribute new knowledge towards identification preservation heritage objects.