Queen Elizabeth I of England
Giant forehead, rotten teeth, ghostly face: a Renaissance classic with a culprit in sight.
The Renaissance aesthetic continues to be appreciated today, but it has always hidden something that, despite being in plain sight and technically very clear, is in fact very dark. We talk about poisoning (here we go).
Balanced compositions, subtle symbolism and portraits that often display surprisingly high foreheads and lime-white faces. Have you ever wondered why?
For centuries, there were those who interpreted these proportions as simple artistic idealization. But we are faced with dangerous, even deadly, beauty practices, with highly toxic products as the protagonists.
In the 16th century, cosmetic products aimed at creating the appearance considered ideal multiplied in Europe: very clear, smooth and “serene” skin, associated with youth and high social status. One of the most popular was Venetian cerusa.
The fame came from the origin: the best lots arrived from Venice. It worked as a type of foundation or concealer, and was used mainly by fair-skinned women who wanted an even more even tone.
The problem was yet to be discovered. This was probably the most toxic cosmetic ever used regularly. Its composition included cerussitea mineral rich in white lead. Mixed with vinegar, the preparation was applied directly to the face and absorbed into the skin.
Today it is known that lead is a dangerous neurotoxin even in minimal quantities. Prolonged exposure can reduce cognitive ability, affect self-control and increase aggressive behaviors. In the past, these effects would have marked entire generations, recalls.
Among the most visible symptoms of lead poisoning were hair loss and receding foreheadwhich helps explain many of the famous “aristocratic foreheads” depicted in Renaissance portraits. Other signs are nausea, persistent fatigue, cognitive deterioration and tooth loss.
One of the historical figures often associated with this practice is . In paintings from the end of his reign, such as the famous portrait of Ermine by William Segar (1585), he appears with intensely white skin and a very broad forehead. It is said that the queen used Venetian cerusa to disguise marks left by smallpox. In the last years of his life, he had lost almost all of his teeth, a symptom compatible with metal poisoning.
Although the cause of his death remains uncertain, some historians suggest that it may have been the result of long exposure to lead.
Interestingly, the product was officially classified as poison only 31 years after the monarch’s death.
