1.25 oz. W&N Artists' Oil Colors French Ultramarine #263

Ultramarine was, historically, famous for being the most expensive pigment, costing even more than gold during the Renaissance. Ultramarine was created by using crushed lapis lazuli (a purple and blue semi-precious gemstone). The pigment's name ultrmaranus means "from beyond the sea," and was adopted because the pigment had to be imported to Europe from Asia, where it was first used in Afghan temples the 6th century. The pigment was popular in Renaissance art, and was often used to depict the robes of the virgin Mary. The artist Vermeer is known for his lavish use of natural ultramarine. A synthetic form of ultramarine was discovered in 1828, and the natural form made from crushed lapis lazuli became obsolete. French Ultramarine is a very dark, brilliant blue. Often, it is the one of the darkest and most vivid pigments on an artist's pallet.