vergaut

Ingredients

orpiment, indigo

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

In Alfonso X's manuscripts, vergaut is prepared as a homogeneous mixture of orpiment (yellow) and indigo (blue) (p. 294). In contrast, in the Ajuda Songbook, it is prepared by layering orpiment over a blue or black undertone to create the green effect (p. 294).

Evidence

"the green color, vergaut, was detected as a homogeneous mixture of orpiment and indigo. The construction of this color is different from that of the Ajuda Songbook, where orpiment is layered onto blue or black"

Remarks

In acanthus leaves of Alfonso's manuscripts, the illuminator shades and heightens by meticulously applying orpiment over blue/black undertones (p. 294).