C 6 53 ] 
The firft was to melt wax and oil of turpentine 
together, and ufe it for mixing the colours. But this 
method does not at all explain Pliny’s meaning, be- 
caufe wax is not burnt in this way of managing it : 
and befides, this method has two defers ; the oil of 
turpentine dries too faft, and does not allow the 
painter fufficient time to blend and unite his colours. 
The fecond method is very ingenious, and Teems to 
come up to Pliny’s notion very well : it is as follows : 
The wax is melted with ftrong lixivium of fait of 
tartar, and with this the colours are ground. When 
the picture is finifhed, it is gradually put to the fire, 
which increafes the heat by degrees ; the wax melts, 
fwells, and is bloated up upon the picture : then the 
picture is removed gradually from the' fire, and the 
colours do not at all appear to have been difordered : 
the colours then become unalterable by the acftion of 
the air, and even fpirit of wine has been burnt upon 
them without doing them the leaft harm. 
However, the following is the count de Caylus’s 
method, which is much more fimple ; according to 
which the head of Minerva was painted, which was 
fo much admired by all the Connoifteurs. 
1 ft. The cloth or wood defigned for the picture 
is waxed over, by only rubbing it fimp’y with a 
piece of bees- wax. 
2dly, The colours are mixed up with common 
water; but as thefe colours will not adhere to the 
wax, the whole picture is to be fir ft rubbed over 
with the Spaniih * chalk, and then the colours are 
ufed. 
3 di y. 
VOL. 49- 
* Spaniih white. 
4 O 
