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Orange Chromate (Genuine Historical Pigment)

PO21

Alternate Name

Chrome Orange

Pigment Description

A bright orange that ranged from yellow orange to a redder orange. The chrome pigments have difficulties with lightfastness and they are also toxic.

Resources

PO21 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com

Information about PO21 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,

Douma, Michael (n.d. Accessed June 2025). Chrome orange https://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/indiv/technical/crorange.html. Web Exhibits, Pigments through the Ages

Stats

Lightfastness

Good to Fair

The 1980s edition of the NPIRI reported slight change in masstone with appreciable fading in tints for the outdoor Florida exposures, while indoor exposures remained intact. Other sources describe the lightfastness poor. More modern versions of manufacture may help to stabilize this pigment, however there are still some unknowns. "Lightfast: poor. Degradation processes: modern varieties of this pigment are photochemically stabilized."-Webexhibits

Transparency

Opaque

Toxicity

Extremely Toxic, Chromium VI, Lead

Extremely Toxic. Monona Rossol's work has information on working with lead and chrome pigments, and lists this as a carcinogen. Artiscreation lists this as a pigment that is hazardous. "Hazardous, use appropriate precautions for handling toxic substances, especially if working with the dry powder; Do not ingest; Avoid dust & spray." Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.

Chemical Name

Basic lead (II)-chromate

PbCrO₄ · Pb(OH)₂

with PO21 (Orange Chromate (Genuine Historical Pigment))
No single-pigment Oil found with PO21

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