Between Fig Milk and Fish Stones: Remaking Pearlessence from the Ocean

This blog post – the first in the newly established Utrecht University ArtLab visual blog post series – explores three fifteenth-century recipes for imitation pearls, examining how artisans mimicked natural materials and engaged with naturalistic knowledge during the Renaissance and Early Modern Period. Through hands-on experimentation and historical reconstruction, the project investigates the processes of making and various materials that affect the visual and physical qualities of the remade pearl. By comparing the outcomes of different recipes, this work reflects the meaningful convergence between artistic and naturalistic knowledge and practice. This project was conducted at the University of Utrecht’s ArtLab in the context of the RMA in Art History, in collaboration with the DURARE project.

Ruth Bryant. 2025. “Between Fig Milk and Fish Stones: Remaking Pearlessence from the Ocean”. ArtLab Visual Blog Post Series, nr. 1 (Utrecht University), last updated 12-06-2025: https://story.durare.eu/between-fig-milk-and-fish-stones.