Catechin
NBr3
Pigment Description
More of a natural dye than a pigment, Catechin is a deep warm brown. It is also known as Cutch, made from the Acacia catechu. "Catechin is the main chromophore which is responsible for color imparting properties that make CL extract eligible as a potential natural colorant for dyeing textile apparel like wool, silk, cotton fibers etc."- ScienceDirect article.
Sasha Duerr's book Natural Palettes describes Cutch as capable of several shades of brown from yellowish to reddish to greyish depending on the fibers on which it is used.
More information can be found at CAMEO.
Resources
NBr3 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Duerr, Sasha. Natural Palettes: Inspiration from Plant-Based Color. Princeton Architectural Press, New York, 2020. Book Available here
CAMEO Materials Database: Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (Accessed June 2025). Catechin https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Catechin. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
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