"The oldest oil painting now in existence, is believed to be one of the
Madonna and infant Jesus in her arms, with an Eastern style of
countenance. It is marked DCCCLXXXVI. (886). This singular and
valuable painting formed part of the treasures of art in the old palace
of the Florentine Republic, and was purchased by the Director Bencivenni
from a broker in the street, for a few livres."
The above is found quoted in many books, in proof that oil painting was
known long before the time of the Van Eycks; but all these old
_supposed_ oil paintings have been proved by chemical analysis to have
been painted in distemper. See vol. ii., p. 141, of this work.