The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore has opened "If Books Could Kill," an exhibition exploring the toxic history of medieval manuscripts. The show reveals how pigments like white lead, red mercury, and arsenic were commonly used by scribes, artists, and bookbinders, exposing them to serious health risks. Co-curated by Dr. Lynley Anne Herbert and Dr. Annette S. Ortiz Miranda, the exhibition features 24 rarely displayed manuscripts from the museum's collection, including a Thai treatise on elephants with arsenic-based yellows and a 15th-century Armenian Gospel with vermillion pigments. It also includes a conservator-led video demonstrating how portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) is used to identify toxic materials.
This exhibition matters because it sheds light on a hidden and dangerous aspect of art history, connecting medieval bookmaking technology, conservation science, and the personal stories of illustrators who suffered from toxic exposure. By revealing the hazardous materials in these beautiful objects, the show raises awareness about the risks faced by historical artisans and underscores the importance of modern conservation practices. It also highlights the Walters Art Museum's commitment to interdisciplinary research and public education, making a compelling case for the relevance of historical science in understanding art today.