Acknowledgment made by a Painter.
12 Edward I. A.D. 1284. Letter-Book A. fol. xxxix. (Latin.)
On Friday, the Eve of St. Botolph [17 June], in the 12th year
of the reign of King Edward, Nicholas Bacun, painter, (fn. 1) acknowledged that he was bound to Hugh Motun (fn. 2) in the sum of
20 shillings, for cinople, (fn. 3) vermilion, and canvas, varnish and
verdigris; the same to be paid to the same Hugh or his certain
attorney, 10 shillings at the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 August],
and 10 shillings at the Feast of St. Michael [29 September], without
further delay. (fn. 4)
Footnotes
| 1 |
There is probably no earlier passage
in existence than this, in allusion to varnish-painting on canvas. |
| 2 |
The then City Chamberlain, who
was probably a merchant as well. |
| 3 |
Sinople, a green colour mentioned in
old French heraldry, is no doubt the one
here meant. |
| 4 |
A passage in Liber Horn, fol. 341,
temp. Edward II. (preserved at Guildhall), throws some light on this early
allusion to oil-painting.—"Rules as to
painting old and new saddles:—It is
provided that no one put any but good
and pure colours upon gold or silver;
that is to say, good cynople, good green,
good vermilion, or other colours, tempered with oil, and not brasil [a coarse
red], or indigo of Baldas [? Bagdad], or
any other bad colour." |