Maybe not. I got wierdly into this topic a while back! Some scientists at McMaster University recreated old make-up formulas and found that they actually refracted light in similar ways to modern foundations. The thick white mask belief may come from Sir Roy Strong, an art historian, who coined the term ‘mask of youth’ in the early 1970s to describe Elizabeth’s appearance in later portraits, where she is shown to be wrinkle free into old age. It's only since the 70's that we've seen that face-paint style depiction in media. But it is definitely a suspect in her death. Venetian ceruse was really toxic because the vinegar helped the skin to absorb the lead!

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Sarah FitzGerald
Sarah FitzGerald

Written by Sarah FitzGerald

I write funny things about parenting and well researched things about linguistics

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