Lapis Lazuli in Art: The Gemstone That Gave Us Ultramarine Blue

Lapis lazuli is the most ravishing dark blue gem, which has been admired by both artists and collectors for centuries. That marvelous semi-precious stone was highly valued for its bright color and historical importance.

Along with this, it is also valued for being one of the most desirable pigments in art; ultramarine blue. This blog tells the story of lapis lazuli in art; the gemstone that gave us ultramarine blue. Here we go.

From Stone to Pigment

It was a process of laborious grinding into ultramarine pigment from the lapis lazuli stone, mixed afterward with an egg yolk or oil binder. The pigment was highly colored, but opaque, which could cover other shades.

Ultramarine, literally meaning "beyond the sea," named the pigment from its origin derived from trade routes that went so far. The earliest recorded applications of ultramarine date back to the wall paintings in Bamiyan, Afghanistan that are believed to have originated in the 6th century BCE.

However, it was only with the Renaissance in Europe that the pigment caught the eyes and found itself a place. The best applications of ultramarine were carried out by Titian and Vermeer artists. They mostly used this for the robes of the Virgin Mary or other valued personage within their art.

Other bright-colored gems used as colors are Opal stone or Moonstone.

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Renaissance- The Golden Era for Ultramarine from Lapis Lazuli

Ultramarine eventually became the pigment of prestige during the Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries). Its use is mostly noticed in religious scenes or pictures calling for dramatic impact.

For example, Michelangelo commissioned large stocks of ultramarine to be used for his frescoes at the Sistine Chapel. Raphael lavished this expensive pigment in his altarpiece on Saint Nicholas as well.

Johannes Vermeer is especially known to have made a large use of lapis lazuli. In images such as "A Young Woman Seating at a Virginal," he made use of ultramarine to cast deeper shadows and give perspective, showing its radiant property.

Vermeer's careful application of this pigment not only beautified his paintings but also enhanced their apparent value in the market amongst collectors.

Application Techniques of Ultramarine in the Artist's Work

The ultramarine paint required art and science to be used properly. These artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, used it strictly as a glaze for some of their supreme works, "The Virgin of the Rocks" among them.

But it was not easy; if laid on too thinly or just roughly mixed with oil paint, it would crack while drying. Despite this, artists loved using it due to its excellent color and durability.

In Mughal paintings of South Asia, 16th to 18th century, lapis lazuli was again used to create a kaleidoscope of miniatures representing court life as well as nature.

These artworks represented both the aesthetic appeal of the pigment and its cultural and geographical value in various regions.

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Decline and Revival of Lapis Lazuli

Synthetic variants of ultramarine came early in the 19th century, so it became more accessible. Natural lapis lazuli is highly valuable also in the case of its color alone.

First, there's historical and artistic context; second, there are things such as a rich tradition and peculiar qualities. Modern artists make use of lapis lazuli pigment in various mediums; they appreciate a rich tradition and exceptional qualities.

Still, however, questions on lapis lazuli mining cannot be answered. The last is the Afghanistan illegal mining, which results in a state of war and economic instability in the area.

This situation can hence shed some light on the complicated relationship of art commerce and ethics on this beautiful stone.

Conclusion

The path that was taken by lapis lazuli from a deep blue stone into a very precious pigment shows that there is more than just a reduction of aesthetic value to its artistic history.

From wine merchants to spiritual leaders, many cultures and eras appreciate the elegant, rich blue tone of lapis lazuli in countless masterpieces. As artists have explored and continue to develop further its usage, lapis lazuli stands for the long-term prominence of color in human expression.

Whether as a gemstone or a pigment, lapis lazuli will never lose its specificity in the world of art. This is all about lapis lazuli in art; the gemstone that gave us ultramarine blue.