Brutal Art History: The Hidden Toxicity of Historical Artmaking
- nicoleriemenschnei5
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Artists often focus on creativity and expression, but many have unknowingly exposed themselves to harmful substances through the materials they use. Beyond the well-known risks of some pigments, a range of seemingly harmless materials have posed serious health hazards. This post explores forgotten art supplies and techniques that carried hidden dangers, offering insight into how artists worked with these substances and what risks they faced.
Adhesives and Glues That Harmed More Than They Held Together
Many artists relied on adhesives without realizing the risks involved. Animal hide glue, made by boiling animal parts, was common in traditional art and craft. While natural, it could foster mold growth if stored improperly due to its susceptibility to moisture, causing allergic reactions and respiratory issues.
Heated glues, often used in unventilated spaces, released fumes that irritated the lungs and eyes. For example, hot wax or resin adhesives emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could cause headaches and dizziness. Artists working in small studios without proper ventilation faced chronic exposure.
Varnishes and Shellacs with Toxic Fumes
Varnishes and shellacs gave artworks a glossy finish but often contained alcohol and other solvents. Alcohol-based finishes evaporated quickly, releasing fumes that could cause nausea and long-term lung damage. When heated, resins used in varnishes emitted toxic gases.
Artists applying these finishes in enclosed spaces risked inhaling dangerous vapors. Some early varnishes contained lead or arsenic compounds, adding to the toxicity. Awareness of these dangers was limited, and protective gear was rarely used.
Sculptural Materials That Threatened Lungs and Skin
Sculptors faced unique hazards from their materials. Plaster dust, created when mixing or sanding, could be inhaled deeply into the lungs, causing irritation and long-term respiratory problems. Silica dust, common in some sculpting stones and sand, is now known to cause silicosis, a serious lung disease.
Fiberglass, used in modern sculpture, can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Without protective clothing and masks, artists risked chronic irritation and allergic reactions. Polyester resin considered by many sculptors to be superior to the safer epoxy resin contains styrene, known to be both genotoxic and carcinogenic.
Working with large pieces of metal. Although they may not stick out or be connected with causing illness. There are several instances of large-scale sculptors being seriously injured and killed due to the size and weight of the material. For example, Alexander Calder’s painted steel sculpture Five Disks, One Empty (1969-70) (pictured below) crushed two art handlers during the monumental stabile’s installation at Princeton University in 1971.
Printmaking Hazards Hidden in the Process
Printmakers used acid baths to etch metal plates, exposing themselves to corrosive chemicals. Using ferric chloride for etching copper or zinc plates, whereas nitric acid may be used for etching zinc or steel plates. Acid fumes could burn skin and damage lungs if inhaled. Metal dust from grinding plates also posed inhalation risks.
Solvent washes, used to clean tools and plates, often contained toxic chemicals like turpentine or benzene. Prolonged exposure could lead to neurological damage and skin disorders. Proper ventilation and protective gloves were essential but not always practiced.
Photography Chemicals That Left a Toxic Legacy
Early photographic processes involved hazardous substances. Darkroom exposure to silver nitrate caused skin burns and eye irritation. Silver nitrate is also toxic if ingested or absorbed through the skin.
Mercury was used in daguerreotypes, one of the first photographic methods. Mercury vapors are highly toxic, affecting the nervous system. Artists and photographers working with these chemicals often suffered from mercury poisoning without understanding the cause.
Preservation Materials That Carried Hidden Risks
Artists and collectors used chemicals to preserve specimens and artworks. Formaldehyde, a common preservative, is a strong irritant and a known carcinogen. It was used in early taxidermy methods and studio reference collections.
Arsenic was also used historically to preserve biological specimens. Exposure to arsenic can cause severe poisoning and long-term health issues. Many artists handled these materials without protective measures, unaware of the dangers.