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Tyrian Purple (Historical)

NV1

Alternate Names

Imperial Purple

Byzantium Purple

Murex Dye

Pigment Description

A natural dye which is the original royal purple. The fame of this pigment precedes it and you have probably heard just how expensive it was, and it was used to dye the robes of royalty and rulers. The dye was made from the Murex sea snail and required a laborious process to turn into its finished form.

It is not usually used in paints, however Kremer made a version that works as a pigment called Purpurissum. Sometimes hues have been mixed which are inspired by this ancient color.

Resources

NV1 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com

Stats

Lightfastness

Fair

Transparency

with NV1 (Tyrian Purple (Historical))

No single-pigment Oil found with NV1

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