Red Lead, Minium (Genuine Historical Pigment)
PR105
Alternate Name
Surik
Pigment Description
Red Lead, also called Minium or Surik. Very poisonous. This color was popular historically, but is now more-or-less obsolete. Rublev carries this as an oil paint, and it is one of the few paints of theirs to contain an additive as it has a short shelf life (as in maybe several months) when made into oil paint, and the additive will extend the viability of the paint a bit.
Red Lead pigment, PR105
As already mentioned, this color is very toxic (Natural Pigments says to use utmost care to avoid exposures to this pigment). Refer their site for more details and as always be sure to do your own third party research. The dry pigment is reported to be surprisingly reactive, and light may blacken it. However it does seem that binding it in oil may have some sort of protective effect, but even in oil it may have some sensitivities to the environment and may also perform poorly in mixes.
Red Lead among the other reds. Red Lead or Minium is on the left, in the third row
More information on hazards from lead pigments can be found in the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety. Author Monona Rossol has updated work which can be found through her site.
Resources
PR105 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Information about PR105 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,
O'Hanlon, George (n.d., accessed June 2025). Rublev Colours Red Lead Minium. Natural Pigments,
Rossol, Monona. The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide. New York, NY : Allworth Press, 2001. The book is rather dated, updated information is available from her website.
Stats
Lightfastness
Poor
Extremely reactive, oil may help to mitigate this reactivity. However this is an unstable pigment.
Toxicity
Toxic
Red Lead is extremely toxic. Please do your own research on how to properly handle this pigment if you choose to use it. The consequences are extreme. Artiscreation has more. We are not health and safety experts so please consult the manufacturer SDS as well as supplement with your own third party research.
Oil Content
Low
By volume, fairly low
Particle Size
Fine
Chemical Name
Lead Tetroxide
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