Blue

In Renaissance Italy, many people considered ultramarine the finest blue available. Artists reserved the pigment for the Virgin Mary’s clothing in religious paintings like the example above, completed between 1640 and 1650 by Sassoferrato (sah-soh-fehr-AH-toh). The color symbolizes Mary’s religious importance.

In Renaissance Italy, ultramarine was the finest blue available. Artists saved it to use in religious paintings like the one above. Sassoferrato (sahsoh-fehr-AH-toh) made this portrait of the Virgin Mary. Blue symbolizes Mary’s religious importance.

The scarab—a large dung beetle—was sacred in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists found the pectoral, or necklace, above in the tomb of King Tutankhamen (too-tahn- KAH-muhn). The large piece of lapis lazuli at the center of the 3,000-year-old object shows the importance of the beetle and the king who wore it.

Scarabs—large beetles—were sacred in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists found the necklace, above, in the tomb of King Tutankhamen (tootahn- KAH-muhn). The 3,000-year-old object has a piece of lapis lazuli at the center. This shows the king’s important role.

Johannes Vermeer worked extremely slowly and was irresponsible with his resources—in particular his paint. For his iconic 1665 Girl with a Pearl Earring, above, Vermeer used so much ultramarine that he sent his family (which included his wife and 15 children!) into debt.

Johannes Vermeer was often irresponsible with his resources—especially his paint. His 1665 painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, above, is world famous. Vermeer used so much ultramarine to paint it that his family of 17 was left in debt!

For the first time in 200 years, a new blue pigment was discovered in 2009. A team of scientists at Oregon State University stumbled upon the new blue by chance. The group was working on new materials for electronics. Part of their process involved mixing, grinding, and heating chemicals. One day, a graduate student pulled samples of a mixture out of the furnace. The group was shocked by the vivid, intense blue.

The blue compound is formed from the elements yttrium (Y), indium (In), manganese (Mn), and oxygen. In honor of its chemical composition, the pigment is named YInMn (pronounced YIN-min) blue. The Environmental Protection Agency approved it for use in art materials in May 2020.

In 2009, a new blue pigment was discovered. It was the first time anyone had found one in 200 years! A team of scientists were working on new materials for electronics. One day, the scientists pulled samples of a mixture out of the furnace. They were shocked by the “vivid, intense blue.”

The new pigment is called YInMn (pronounced YIN-min) blue. Before it could be used in art materials, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had to do tests to find out if it was safe. They finally approved it in May 2020.