Ultramarine, derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, is historically one of the most expensive pigments in the world.
Lapis lazuli, the stone from which ultramarine is extracted, has been used and revered since ancient times. It was mined in the Sar-i Sang mines of Afghanistan and traded to the far reaches of the ancient world, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley. Its deep blue hue made it a symbol of royalty and divinity.
Ultramarine is produced by grinding lapis lazuli into a powder. However, the process of extracting the purest blue pigment from the stone is intricate and labor-intensive. The stone has to be ground, washed, and then separated from its golden flecks of pyrite and calcite to get the richest blue. This painstaking process contributed to its high cost. Due to its cost, ultramarine was often reserved for the most important parts of a painting, such as the robes of the Virgin Mary in Christian art. Artists would sometimes specify in their contracts that they were to use genuine ultramarine, underscoring the prestige associated with the pigment.
1 view
300
56
4 weeks ago 00:00:32 1
…but the people are retarded
4 weeks ago 00:05:32 1
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Live at Rock Montreal, 1981) [HD]
4 weeks ago 00:08:10 1
AI Agents Will Create MILLIONAIRES in 2025 – Are You Ready
4 weeks ago 00:04:49 1
Play To Earn🔥This New Play to Earn Game is About to Make a Lot of People RICH
4 weeks ago 00:21:40 1
La Toya Jackson On Michael’s Allegations | What Changed Her Mind? | the detail.
4 weeks ago 00:31:07 1
35 Advanced English Verb Rules
1 month ago 00:05:17 1
10 самых влиятельных персон российского искусства. The 10 most influential figures of Russian art.
1 month ago 00:03:10 1
Sometimes I Like To Lie - AnnenMayKantereit
1 month ago 00:26:26 1
LEGO Horizon Adventures PS5 Pro Gameplay - Thunderjaw Boss Fight
1 month ago 00:20:02 1
Vlog OZORA FESTIVAL 2023 💃 BOOM BOOM Walking Tour (▶20 min)
1 month ago 00:14:36 1
TOP 40❗FAILS 4X4 THE CRAZIEST OFF ROAD ACCIDENTS ❌ INSANE FAILS AND WINS AMAZING VEHICLES 2024
1 month ago 00:13:57 1
Why did Davy Jones Look SO Realistic?
1 month ago 00:04:02 1
Ich hatt einen Kameraden [German soldier funeral song][+English translation]
1 month ago 00:49:14 1
A Case Against the Christian God, Yahweh
1 month ago 00:02:33 6
Cold Steel - Special Forces Shovel
1 month ago 00:09:01 1
Anna Amalie von Preußen (1723-1787) - Sonata per il Flauto traverso (1771)
1 month ago 00:06:07 1
PATRIARKH - WIERSZALIN IV (feat. Eliza Sacharczuk) (Official Video) | Napalm Records
1 month ago 00:01:18 1
ORIVISION New Launch - 4 Channels HEVC HDMI Encoder EH1304
1 month ago 00:08:45 2
TXT Answer The Web’s Most Searched Questions | WIRED
1 month ago 00:04:29 1
MAJESTICA - Power Train (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
1 month ago 00:00:54 1
Elon Musk takes son Lil X to meet Tayyip Erdogan
1 month ago 00:20:02 1
NEW Thermaltake TH360 V2 Ultra ARGB Sync AIO CPU Water Cooler With IPS LCD Screen