Humanity's first pigment
Red ochre found at Blombos Cave in South Africa is among the earliest pigments used by humans and a starting point for early art.
SOUL/ALLOY Science
World of Colors
A timeline of pigments, color, and science from 100,000 years ago to today
Showing 16/25 pigments
White
2Red
1Orange
1Yellow
3Blue
3Purple
2Magenta
1Green
3Historical highlights
Blue becomes accessible
The successful synthesis of ultramarine made a once exceptionally costly blue available to many more artists.
An accidental discovery
Dye maker Diesbach accidentally discovered Prussian blue, a pigment later used in works by Hokusai.
25 total / 15 active / 10 discontinued