Abstract
Red lacquers constitute a group of very important pigments in painting techniques, given their special characteristics and their frequent use. The different types of pig Ments that are framed within them - all of color, composition and, in general, very similar properties, as well as diversity and confusion regarding their terminology, are the factors that most hinder their study in works of art. On the other hand, its identification throughout history in the different texts and manuscripts on artistic techniques is also important to reach an in-depth knowledge of them. This work includes the study of the nature of the different red lacquers (quermes, cochineal, Indian lacquer, pellet lacquer and Brazilian wood): likewise, the different terminologies with which they have been named are exposed and discussed. a review of its use in pictorial techniques, based on data contained mainly in ancient documentary sources