13 min read
The History of Green: Arsenic Wallpaper, Envy, and Emerald
Victorian green wallpaper was laced with arsenic and it killed people. From Scheele's green to William Morris, discover the deadly history of green in art and design.
#pigment history
6 articles tagged with "pigment history"
14 min read
The History of Yellow: Van Gogh, Chrome, and a Color That Drove People Mad
Chrome yellow gave Van Gogh his sunflowers but it contained lead and darkened on exposure to light. Discover the history of yellow in art, from Indian yellow to madness.
13 min read
The History of Black: Carbon, Vantablack, and Darkness as Statement
From charcoal on cave walls to Vantablack, the blackest substance ever made, discover the history of black in art and the bitter feud over who gets to use it.
13 min read
The History of White: Purity, Lead Paint, and Negative Space
Lead white was the only white pigment for 2,000 years and it was toxic. From Malevich's White on White to modernist architecture, discover the history of white in art.
13 min read
The History of Red: Vermilion, Cochineal, and the Politics of a Pigment
Red was the first color humans painted with 300,000 years ago. From Aztec cochineal to Roman vermilion, discover the bloody, political history of red in art.
13 min read
The History of Blue: Ultramarine, Indigo, and Why the Color Was Once Worth More Than Gold
Blue was once the most expensive pigment in the world, ground from Afghan lapis lazuli and worth more than gold. Discover the history of blue in art, from ultramarine to Yves Klein.
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