Hello again! As I continue pondering the intriguing world of colors, I find myself delving into various topics surrounding color. There is indeed a vast realm waiting to be explored. In today's post, we'll delve into color names and the origins of the pigments they stem from.
You might think yellow is just yellow and red is simply red. But have you ever wondered about colors like Prussian Blue? I've always adored that hue, yet I never truly questioned its name's origin. So, I began to ponder: what else am I unaware of? Well, it seems there's plenty I've yet to discover. However, my thirst for knowledge remains unquenched. Here's what I've uncovered: Enjoy!
Earliest Pigments
Among the earliest pigments employed by humans were naturally occurring materials such as ochre (ranging from yellow to red-brown), charcoal (black), and various earth pigments. These pigments were extracted from minerals, plants, or animal sources, then ground into powders for use in cave paintings, pottery decoration, and body art.
Egyptian Blue
One of the first synthetic pigments, Egyptian blue, was developed by ancient Egyptians around 2600 BCE. It was created by heating a mixture of sand, limestone, copper-containing minerals, and an alkali flux at high temperatures. Egyptian blue was used in wall paintings, pottery glazes, and decorative objects throughout ancient Egypt.
Ultramarine
Originally derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, ultramarine blue was obtained by grinding the stone into a powder. This pigment was highly prized but exceedingly costly due to lapis lazuli's rarity. In the 14th century, Europeans developed a synthetic method for producing ultramarine, involving the grinding and heating of a mineral mixture comprising silica, soda, sulfur, and a blue source like azurite.
Prussian Blue
Discovered accidentally by German color maker Johann Jacob Diesbach in Berlin around 1704, Prussian blue marked the advent of modern synthetic pigments. It was created by reacting iron(II) sulfate with potassium ferrocyanide. Prussian blue gained widespread popularity in art and industry owing to its intense color and relative affordability.
YInMn Blue
Discovered accidentally by chemist Mas Subramanian and his team at Oregon State University in 2009, YInMn blue presents a promising pigment due to its unique composition and vibrant blue hue, initially while experimenting with new materials for electronics applications.
Cerulean Blue
Crafted from cobalt(II) stannate, cerulean blue boasts a subtle, sky-like hue, commonly used in watercolor painting.
Phthalo Blue
A synthetic organic pigment exhibiting a bright, intense blue color, phthalo blue was first developed in the early 20th century and is frequently employed in acrylic and oil paints.
Cochineal Red
Cochineal red is a pigment derived from the cochineal insect, primarily found in South America. It was highly valued in ancient and colonial times for its intense red color. Cochineal red was used extensively in textiles, paints, and cosmetics.
Cadmium Red
A synthetic pigment produced from cadmium sulfide, cadmium red emerged in the early 20th century, valued for its bright, opaque red hue and commonly used in oil and acrylic paints.
Vermilion
A vibrant red pigment derived from powdered cinnabar, a naturally occurring form of mercury sulfide, vermilion has been utilized in art and decoration since ancient times, particularly favored in Chinese and European art.
Yellow:Indian Yellow
Traditionally made from the urine of cows fed on a diet of mango leaves, Indian yellow was employed in Indian miniature painting and later gained popularity in Europe. Its use declined in the 19th century due to concerns about its production methods.
Cadmium Yellow
Similar to cadmium red, cadmium yellow is a synthetic pigment crafted from cadmium sulfide, cherished for its bright, opaque yellow hue, commonly found in oil and acrylic paints.
Naples Yellow
An ancient pigment composed of lead antimonate, Naples yellow ranges from pale yellow to a brownish-yellow color and was frequently utilized in oil and watercolor painting.
Hooker's Green
Combining yellow and blue pigments, typically gamboge or aureolin yellow with Prussian blue or ultramarine, Hooker's green pays homage to the 19th-century botanical artist William Hooker.
Sap Green
A transparent green pigment traditionally extracted from the juice of unripe berries of the buckthorn plant, sap green has been utilized in watercolor painting since the Renaissance era.
Viridian
A transparent green pigment comprising hydrated chromium(III) oxide, viridian was developed in the 19th century, prized for its cool, bluish-green hue, and commonly utilized in oil and acrylic paints.
Tyrian Purple
Also recognized as imperial purple, Tyrian purple was a prestigious dye extracted from the mucus of certain sea snails, highly esteemed in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, symbolizing royalty, and predominantly used to dye the clothing of kings and emperors.Manganese Violet: A synthetic inorganic pigment produced from manganese ammonium pyrophosphate, manganese violet exhibits a reddish-purple hue and finds common use in oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting.
Until next time!
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