Cadmium Red Medium | Matisse acrylic paint

Cadmium Red Medium | Matisse acrylic paint

Historical Context: The Fall of Vermilion

 

In 1919, the art world witnessed a transformative moment with the introduction of Cadmium Red. Prior to its arrival, vermilion had reigned supreme for centuries, cherished for its permanence and considered the ideal red for crafting flesh tints in portraits and figures. However, vermilion had its shortcomings—susceptibility to turning black if of poor quality, unsuitability for watercolours and pastels, and most notably, its composition of pure mercuric sulphide, a highly toxic pigment. The occupational hazards for workers involved in its production and the potential danger for artists made vermilion a risky choice.

 

Cadmium Red's Ascent: A Safer Alternative

 

Despite cadmium's own toxicity, it proved to be a safer alternative to traditional vermilion. While vermilion dwindled in popularity due to its limitations, Cadmium Red emerged as a reliable and less hazardous option, particularly suitable for watercolours. Gradually gaining traction, it surpassed vermilion in usage by the mid-20th century. Today, traditional vermilion pigments are rarely employed, and Cadmium Red is celebrated as the reigning monarch among permanent reds on the artist's palette.

 

Cadmium Yellow: The Foundation of Cadmium Pigments

 

Found at the core of cadmium pigments is Cadmium Yellow, composed of cadmium sulphide. The introduction of orange and red cadmium pigments involves co-precipitating cadmium sulphide with selenium sulphide, a closely related compound. The varying shades of orange result from a selenium sulphide content between 5% and 14%, while reds are achieved with 15% to 25%. Matisse employs Cadmium Red Medium, finding the perfect balance for the deepest red while maintaining colour purity.

 

The Allure of Cadmium Red Medium

 

Artists favour the mid-red shade of Cadmium Red Medium for its vibrant blood-red hue, making it a versatile and widely used red on the palette. Boasting high lightfastness, though not as enduring as Cadmium Yellow, it stood as the most permanent red before the advent of pyrrole reds. While the pyrroles may pose a potential challenge in the future, Cadmium Red maintains its prominence due to distinct advantages. It’s remarkable opacity sets it apart, offering unparalleled covering power—an essential feature in numerous artistic applications. Moreover, when compared to newer red pigments that can be relatively expensive, Cadmium Red is esteemed as a cost-effective choice.

 

Looking Ahead: Cadmium Red's Enduring Legacy

 

In the grand tapestry of red pigments, Cadmium Red continues to stand tall, embodying a fascinating evolution from the shadows of vermilion's toxicity to becoming a beacon of permanence and versatility in the artist's palette. As artistry advances, so does the appreciation for the enduring qualities that make Cadmium Red a timeless choice in the realm of red pigments.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Cadmium Red Medium (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Cadmium Red Medium SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
*The above link will open an external Dropbox window 

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