Dark Stories of Bright Colours: 5 Stories Behind Iconic Pigments

Art history is rich with pigments and dyes that have fascinating stories behind them. Some were born from natural sources, while others were created through scientific innovation. Let's dive into five iconic colours: Carmine, Prussian Blue, Indian Yellow, Caput Mortum, and Paris Green.

 

Carmine: A Red with Ancient Roots

Carmine, a deep, vibrant red, comes from the cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus. The female insects are carefully harvested, boiled, and processed to extract carminic acid, which is then refined into crimson lake. This pigment has been used for centuries in paints, pigments, and even food. It was traditionally combined with mordants like avocado tannin to help it bond to natural fibers and fabrics.

• Derived from the cochineal insect.
• Used in paints, pigments, and food for centuries.
• Requires a mordant to bind to fabrics.

 

Prussian Blue: The First Synthetic Blue

Prussian Blue, a deep and rich blue, was the first synthetic pigment, created by German chemist Diesbach in 1704. It quickly became popular as a more affordable alternative to the precious and rare Ultramarine. Beyond art, Prussian Blue also has an unexpected role in medicine—it’s used to treat heavy metal poisoning, and pharmaceutical-grade Prussian Blue is even available in pill form.

• First synthetic blue pigment, created in 1704.
• Became an affordable alternative to Ultramarine.
• Used in medicine for heavy metal poisoning.

 

Indian Yellow: A Bright History

Indian Yellow is a vibrant yellow pigment once made from the urine of cows exclusively fed on mango leaves. Although this practice is no longer in use, Winsor & Newton created a synthetic version that closely mimics the original. Indian Yellow has been used by artists like Turner and remains a bright, distinctive color.

• Originally made from cow urine after feeding on mango leaves.
• Used by famous artists like Turner.
• Modern version created by Winsor & Newton.

 

Caput Mortum: The Mysterious "Dead Head" Colour

Caput Mortum, meaning "Dead Head" in Latin, is a colour with an intriguing history. Created around 1550, it was originally made from the byproducts of sulfuric acid production. Its name is shrouded in mystery, with some legends linking it to Golgotha (the place of skulls) or the color of mummies. Today, Caput Mortum is a synthetic iron oxide pigment with a rich brownish-violet hue, often used for its opaque qualities.

• Originally made from sulfuric acid production byproducts.
• Named after "Golgotha" or the colour of mummies.
• Modern version made from synthetic iron oxide.

 

Paris Green: A Vibrant Yet Toxic Hue

Paris Green, also known as Emerald Green, was created in 1814 and quickly became a popular pigment in the 19th century. Used by artists like Monet, Cezanne, and Renoir, it was favoured for its vivid green hue. However, Paris Green was also toxic, containing arsenic, which many believe contributed to health issues such as Cezanne's diabetes and Monet's blindness. The pigment was banned in the 1960s due to its toxicity, and while it can appear as a pale blue-green when finely ground, it darkens to a deep green when coarsely ground.

• Created in 1814, also known as Emerald Green.
• Used by artists like Monet, Cezanne, and Renoir.
• Highly toxic due to arsenic content, contributing to health issues; banned in the 1960s.