The Story of Ultramarine from the Silk Road to Renoir: The Chemistry of Colour | National Gallery

How did ultramarine go from being more expensive than gold to one of the cheapest pigements for artists? Follow the journey of this vibrant blue colour, ultramarine, one of the most celebrated and sought-after pigments in art. Joanna Russell from our Scientific Department looks at the use of this blue in ’The Wilton Diptych’ and Renoir’s ’Umbrellas’. The Chemistry of Colour series explores some of the weird and wonderful ways pigments were historically produced, and how we can identify them today. 🧪🔬 ’The Wilton Diptych’ and ’Umbrellas’ are part National Treasures. 12 of the nation’s most iconic and well-loved paintings from our collection are being lent to 12 venues across the UK. The National Treasures displays open simultaneously on 10 May 2024, the 200th anniversary of the Gallery’s opening in London, enabling people from all over the country to see, up close, some of the greatest works in the history of Western art. 💛 Find out more about National Treasures: 💙 Find out more about ’The Wilton Diptych’: 💙 Find out more about Renoir’s ’Umbrellas’: #NationalGallery #ColourTheory #ArtHistory 🎞 Subscribe to our YouTube channel and never miss a video: Follow us on social media ⭐️ Instagram: ⭐️ TikTok: @nationalgallerylondon ⭐️ Facebook: ⭐️ Threads: @nationalgallery ⭐️ Twitter: Help keep the museum accessible for everyone by supporting us here: The world’s greatest paintings to your inbox. Sign up to receive the latest news from the Gallery: The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10am - 6pm and on Fridays between 10am - 9pm. Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN