Have you ever seen the beautiful paintings created by renowned artists in the past? Paintings such as “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt and “The Third of May” by Francisco Goya have been upheld throughout the centuries. However, there is one lethal thing that these paintings have in common: the excessive usage of lead within them. Lead is a toxic chemical that was historically used in pipes, solder, makeup, and paint. (Britannica) It was known for having a bright white hue, which a surplus of artists relished. To create these elaborate paintings, many artists spent years perfecting their work, meaning they spent an immoderate amount of time surrounded by this toxic chemical. For some artists, this had perverse as well as unfortunate effects.

Excessive exposure to this lead can cause severe health problems and, in some cases, death. Various health problems associated with lead poisoning include  “Reproductive problems (in both men and women), high blood pressure and hypertension, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.” (Montes Santiago, J) Many of these symptoms, along with deafness, were seen in the distinguished artist, Francisco Goya. Montes Santiago J says, “ It is concluded that Goya's disease and deafness were probably caused by lead poisoning…, Portinari certainly suffered from lead poisoning, and that finally caused his death. This source of the possible poisoning could be the high lead content of their paintings.” (US EPA.) This further explains the danger of having lead within paintings posed by many artists today.

Furthermore, the historical use of lead-based materials, particularly in art, presents a stark reminder of the toxic dangers that once went largely unrecognized. Demonstrated by the tragic cases of Francisco Goya and others, prolonged exposure to lead can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences, affecting not only physical health but also mental health. While modern science has given us a deeper understanding of lead poisoning, it is crucial to