Was the Linseed oil the Van Eycks different from the linseed oil of today?
Yes, The Van Eyck’s oil was different from today‘s oil in that they had cold pressed, completely natural and UNREFINED linseed oil. Today‘s oil is heat extracted, chemically cleansed, Alkali REFINED linseed oil. First, all linseed oils are not the same, even today. Linseed oil is pressed from the seeds of the flax plant and the quality of the plants and their seeds vary according to different geographical regions. Much like grapes that are used to make wine, the unique environmental conditions impact the quality of the flax seeds. Second, the Van Eyck’s used ancient press equipment that extracted the oil by pure pressure and without any heat. It is called Cold Pressed oil, and it was pure, natural and UNREFINED. It was not refined by chemicals as is done today. Today’s chemical treatment of linseed oil has produced a linseed oil that is slow drying. This slow drying property requires artists to use of driers and other additives. Did Vasari have access to the same linseed oil used by Va
