Isabella Flores
Vincent van Gogh is known for his bold use of colour, especially yellow. In fact, his prolific use of the colour has sparked much speculation, with some even suggesting that he ate yellow paint to raise his spirits. While there is no evidence to support this theory, it is believed that van Gogh's obsession with yellow may have stemmed from his move from Paris to Arles, a city in the Provence region of France, in 1888. During this period, van Gogh created about 300 artworks with yellow as the main colour, even in nocturnal compositions. This period, from around 1886 to 1890, would later be dubbed his yellow period.
So, was yellow paint expensive during van Gogh's time?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Yellow paint expensive in Van Gogh's time | There is no clear indication of whether yellow paint was expensive in Van Gogh's time, however, he did use large tubes of paint which were cheaper than small ones. |
| Van Gogh's use of yellow | Van Gogh was obsessed with the colour yellow, and it is speculated that he ate yellow paint. |
| Theories for his use of yellow | Van Gogh moved to Arles, France, and fell in love with the light of the region, which is reflected in his work. He also wrote about the yellow of sunshine and "how beautiful yellow is". |
| Specific yellow pigments used | Chrome yellow, Indian yellow, cadmium yellow, and lemon yellow. |
| Other pigments used | Vermilion, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue, cobalt blue, and lead white. |
| Toxicity of pigments | Many of the pigments Van Gogh used were toxic and could have been harmful to his health, such as lead white, which can cause lead poisoning if ingested or inhaled. |
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What You'll Learn
Indian yellow pigment
The origin of Indian yellow pigment has been a subject of curiosity and debate for centuries. In 1883, public servant Trailokya Nath (T.N.) Mukharji described the raw material as being derived from the urine of cows fed a diet of only mango leaves and water. This diet caused dehydration, resulting in intense yellow urine that was collected and processed into a powder for export to Europe. Other theories about the nature of Indian yellow have also circulated, including that it was made from plant sap or the urine of snakes or dehydrated camels. However, in 2019, researchers identified the presence of hippuric acid in samples of the original Indian yellow pigment, supporting Mukharji's report.
Van Gogh's use of yellow has been a subject of fascination and speculation. During his "yellow period" (around 1886-1890), the colour featured prominently in his work, even in nocturnal compositions. One of the theories behind his heavy use of yellow is the discovery of new chrome yellow pigments in the nineteenth century, which offered brighter hues than previously available. Van Gogh's move to Arles in 1888 may have also influenced his fondness for the colour, as he fell in love with the region's light. In letters to his brother, Theo, he wrote about the beauty of yellow and how it represented sunshine.
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Chrome yellow pigments
Chrome yellow is a pigment derived from lead chromate, a chemical compound first synthesised in the early 1800s by French chemist Louis Nicolas Vauquelin. Chrome yellow was widely used in the nineteenth century by artists such as Turner, Manet, Cézanne, Monet, and Pissarro, as well as Vincent van Gogh.
Chrome yellow was prized for its bright, sunny hue, which was particularly well-suited for use in fashion and textiles. It was also used in industrial applications such as paint, plastics, and ceramics. However, it had a significant flaw: it darkened and discoloured over time, particularly when exposed to light and air. This degradation can be seen in some of Van Gogh's works.
The pigment contains lead and hexavalent chromium, which has made it the focus of safety concerns. Its use is highly regulated, and its former use as a food colourant has been discontinued. Nevertheless, chrome yellow continues to be widely used due to its low solubility, which prevents the leaching of chromate and lead into biological fluids.
Chrome yellow is created by adding a soluble lead salt (nitrate or acetate) to a solution of alkali chromate or dichromate. The resulting crystalline mineral is dense and opaque, with a colour that can vary from primrose yellow to orange depending on particle size. Lighter hues tend to contain lead sulfate or other insoluble lead salts, while the middle hues are neutral lead chromate, and the orange chromes are basic lead chromate.
To improve resistance to discoloration and darkening, the pigment can be encapsulated with amorphous silica and other metal oxides. Encapsulated chrome pigments are stable to light, high temperatures, weathering, and resistant to sulfur dioxide.
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Yellow ochre
Ochre pigments are non-toxic and can be used to make oil paint that dries quickly and covers surfaces thoroughly. The paint is durable and can be mixed with other mineral pigments to create sensitive greens or subtle warming flesh tones without adding shadow.
While it is not known if Van Gogh used yellow ochre in his paintings, he is known for his use of yellow, particularly during his ""yellow period" from around 1886 to 1890. Theories surrounding his heavy use of yellow include the discovery of new chrome yellow pigments developed during the 19th century and his love for the sunny region of Arles, France, which he moved to in 1888.
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Cadmium yellow
While it is unclear whether yellow paint was expensive in Van Gogh's time, it is known that the artist had a particular affinity for the colour, especially during his ""yellow period" from 1886 to 1890. One of the most popular theories surrounding Van Gogh's heavy use of yellow is the discovery of new chrome yellow pigments in the 19th century, which were much brighter than the previously available yellows.
Chrome yellow, also known as cadmium yellow, was discovered in 1817 as a by-product of the zinc industry. However, it wasn't until the 1840s that the commercial extraction of cadmium was widespread and economically viable for artists. Cadmium yellow is a stable and lightfast yellow pigment with good permanence and tinting power. It is created by heating metallic cadmium with sulfur or by precipitating cadmium sulfide through the reaction of a cadmium salt solution, such as cadmium chloride, with a solution of sodium sulfide.
Today, cadmium yellow is commonly employed in architectural paints and the colouring of plastics and specialty paints. However, it is important to note that cadmium compounds are toxic, and proper precautions must be taken during their use and disposal.
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Yellow paint consumption
Vincent Van Gogh's prolific use of yellow paint in his works has been a subject of fascination for many. In the decade that he was active as an artist, Van Gogh produced nearly 1,000 paintings, many of which featured yellow as the main colour.
Van Gogh's use of yellow paint was likely influenced by his move from Paris to Arles in the Provence region of France in 1888. The sunny climate of Arles inspired him to incorporate brighter colours into his work, marking the beginning of his "yellow period" (around 1886-1890).
During his stay in Arles, Van Gogh discovered and fell in love with the newly developed chrome yellow pigments, which were much brighter than the yellows that came before them. He used chrome yellow, a bright lemon-yellow synthetic pigment, in many of his paintings during this period.
Another notable yellow pigment used by Van Gogh was Indian yellow, composed of cow urine, which gave his paintings a rich, transparent golden hue. Indian yellow was used in Europe as early as the 15th century and was imported in the form of pungent balls. However, due to ethical concerns regarding the production process and the treatment of cows, the pigment was eventually outlawed and banned in 1908.
Van Gogh was also known to mix pigments to create new colours and achieve specific effects. For example, he mixed cadmium yellow, a bright and intense synthetic pigment, with vermilion to create a bright orange colour for his sunflower paintings.
While the consumption and incorporation of yellow paint in Van Gogh's work is evident, it is important to note that the artist himself may have had a complex relationship with the paint. Some sources suggest that Van Gogh may have had a compulsion to eat yellow paint, possibly due to a biochemical craving for terpenes, a condition known as pica, or even a suicidal impulse. However, there is no definitive evidence to support these theories, and Van Gogh himself expressed confusion over his behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Van Gogh's paint was expensive. He preferred to buy paint in big tubes, which were much more economical than small ones. He also used Indian yellow, a pigment made from cow urine, which was outlawed in 1908 due to ethical concerns regarding the treatment of cows.
Van Gogh was fond of yellow because he associated it with sunshine and warmth. He wrote about the "yellow of sunshine" and confessed that he loved the colour in letters to his brother, Theo.
Yes, Van Gogh did eat yellow paint. It is believed that he had a biochemical craving for terpenes, which are found in paint. Some think he ate paint to cheer himself up, while others, including Van Gogh's psychiatrist, believed he was trying to harm himself.
Van Gogh often mixed pigments to create new colours. He used a variety of pigments, including ultramarine blue, Prussian blue, cadmium yellow, vermilion, and chrome yellow. Many of these pigments were toxic and harmful to his health if ingested or inhaled.
