In the mid-twentieth century new research laboratories began to open up in museums, galleries and archives. Scientific investigation became an essential part of the work of cultural institutions in preserving and understanding their collections. Since then, the ongoing development of specialist, state-of-the-art instrumentation and complex scientific techniques has opened up new ways of looking at the materials and methods which were used to produce historic works of art and cultural objects.

Many of the pioneers in this field of heritage science were women who studied the properties and chemical composition of paint. Through the careers of women such as Joyce Plesters, conservation scientist at the National Gallery, whose work has helped to trace the natural and chemical history of artists' pigments, I examine the interplay between science and art history. I explain (in layman's terms) how the science works, showing how techniques and equipment have advanced over the past 75 years. I also talk about current research into the history of pigments and colour.

Richly illustrated with images of these women at work and the artworks which they studied, this talk will appeal to a broad audience.