This years colour palette

Arsenic

This provokes a sense of intrigue into how humans first began to visualise and subsequently produce pigments to enhance the beauty in the world around us, whether it be for dying garments and textiles or for artists to utilise to create their masterpieces.

For thousands of years people have experimented with colour in their quest for the perfect tone or shade. Some of the techniques used historically have proven dangerous and sometimes deadly and are luckily no longer used in the modern world but, as we will see, were fundamental for centuries.

These deadly colours were used widely to bring to life the artwork of the renaissance, in the cosmetics for ancient civilisations as well as interior decoration and homeware throughout the ages.

Lead White

During the 3rd and 4th century BC this striking but fatal pigment was created by mixing metallic lead with vinegar. Widely by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans in their quest to look good, it could also be found in European artwork throughout the ages and for years was the primary shade of white painted on easels during the 19th century. Many artists were unknowingly exposed to lead by inhalation or absorption, leading to poisoning. The Industrial Revolution introduced new ways of creating colours synthetically and Titanium White was bought out to replace the old Lead White.

Vermillion

Lead is not the only deadly chemical found in ancient pigments. Mercury is present in the mineral Cinnabar and was used in the production of the scarlet red pigment Vermillion. Mercury in its inorganic form is the least dangerous but will still cause poisoning if inhaled or absorbed affecting the ability to speak/hear, muscle weakness and lack of co ordination. The use of Cinnabar dates back to early China where it was used to preserve bodies for funerals and also Roman times where it was used to decorate the stucco of the walls in homes.

Invented in the 18th century by a Swedish chemist conducting research into Arsenic, Scheeles Green was a brilliant bright green hue which has since been proven hard to replicate in its true glory. This perfect bright green is a combination of Arsenious Oxide, Sodium Carbonate and Copper Sulphate a particularly poisonous combination which causes serious damage to the liver, stomach and other internal organs. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, Scheeles Green was cheap and easy to make and was used in the manufacturing of wallpapers, fabrics, children’s toys as well as offering a more vibrant and realistic tone of green to foliage and scenes of nature. Fortunately, popularity declined and the colour was replaced with a slightly safer pigment but without the same effect as the original Scheeles Green. Farrow and Ball have created the famous and fabulously eye catching take on this colour, simply named “Arsenic”.

Tyrian Purple

Also known as Royal Purple or Phoenician Red, this stunning pigment was first found in the Tye region of Lebanon and was primarily used in dyes to make garments for imperial families of the time. Tyrian Purple is produced by crushing hundreds of thousands of predatory sea snails for their secretion which is needed to create this beautiful vibrant red/purple hue. Whilst not harmful to humans, this practice of killing thousands of snails was harmful to sea life and also extremely expensive to make.

Uranium Orange/Yellow

Uranium based hues have been used to tint and glaze ceramics for thousands of years and could still be found in some pottery of the 20th century. Orange tones were often difficult to produce but one particular uranium based orange pigment became hugely popular in the glazes of homeware ceramics and could still be found right up until the 1970s with dinner sets and tea cups potentially emitting radiation into the home.

The yellow tones became popular in the detailed decoration of military vehicles during World War 2, causing potentially deadly tumours or cancer to those who had the unfortunate task of painting them. All uranium oxide was then confiscated by the US army to be used the development of bombs and other nuclear weapons around the time of the Second World War.

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Established 1878.

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The Purple House Clinic, Rugby

Private Psychological Healthcare

The Purple House Clinic, Rugby Private Psychological Healthcare

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Highly qualified and experienced psychologists providing a range of assessment and therapy services for children, adolescents and adults either face to face or online.

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For more information and to see if we can help, call us on 01788 228055 or visit www.purplehouseclinic.co.uk/psychologists-rugby/ E/purplehouserugby Eastlands Court Business Centre, St Peters Road, Rugby, CV21 3QP

The Blind Company Made to measure blinds

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Sam Dunn Sports Massage

Sports Massage services in Rugby and the surrounding areas

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If you think I can help you please get in touch on any of the below details or visit samdunnsportsmassage.co.uk

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Get those chores done or finished Painting, decorating, fencing and sheds treated, grass cutting and small gardening jobs, sewing jobs – alterations.

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