Art historians suspect lead pigments may have contributed to the illness and demise of many great painters, including Correggio, Raphael, and Goya. There’s even a story that Vincent van Gogh was fond of the flavor of one pigment in particular and liked to suck on his paintbrushes. That wouldn’t surprise a pediatrician. White lead is noted for its sweetness, which is why lead paint tastes good to kids.
