By the 1400s, the use of lead white and vermilion pigments became widespread in Italian Renaissance art, contributing to the vibrant color palette of the period. These pigments allowed artists to achieve greater depth and luminosity in their works, enhancing the visual impact of paintings. The adoption of these materials reflects the Renaissance's emphasis on innovation and the pursuit of beauty in art.

The use of lead white and vermilion in Renaissance art around 1400 enabled lifelike portraits that inspired ekphrastic poetry. Poets celebrated the beauty of art and its ability to capture human emotion, reflecting on the interplay between visual and literary expression.