[Goya, Fortuny, Van Gogh, Portinari: lead poisoning in painters across three centuries].
Patobiographic data of four brilliant painters who lived in three different centuries (Goya [XVIII], Fortuny and Van Gogh [XIX] and Portinari [XX]), were examined in search for a suspected lead poisoning. It is concluded that Goya's disease and deafness was probably caused by lead poisoning. Fortuny's death was probably precipitated by this illness in conjunction with malaria. This diagnosis is more problematic in Van Gogh and only a monograph favouring this was found. Portinari certainly suffered from lead poisoning and that finally caused his death. This source of the possible poisoning could be the high lead content of their paintings.
Montes Santiago
J
J
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Meixoeiro, Vigo. julio.montes.santiago@sergas.es
D005197:Famous Persons; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000266:history*; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*