Naples Yellow Light | Matisse Acrylic Paint

Historic Roots: From Babylon to Renaissance

 

Naples Yellow Light, with roots tracing back to the hanging gardens of Babylon, has a storied history. Originally sourced from volcanic landscapes, it occurred naturally in volcanic conditions. Synthetic production emerged during the Renaissance, coinciding with the era of Leonardo da Vinci. Despite its favourable attributes, such as durability and enhancing the flexibility of oil paint, Naples Yellow Light faced a significant drawback—it ranked among the most toxic pigments known. In modern times, health concerns have prompted its replacement with non-toxic alternatives, typically mixtures of ochre and white, preserving the beloved soft yellow hue.

 

Matisse Naples Yellow Light: A Non-Toxic Evolution

 

Matisse Naples Yellow Light represents a non-toxic evolution, blending white with ochre and Deep Yellow. This opaque, rich cream colour has earned acclaim for its versatility as a lightener. The common pitfall of excessively using pure white, which can drain vitality and alter colours, particularly in the case of reds turning into pinks, is a concern. A prudent artist opts for white sparingly, considering it a last resort. Instead, the preference is to lighten colours using hues lighter and adjacent on the colour wheel while retaining colour richness. Naples yellow proves invaluable for lightening ochres, yellows, oranges, and yellowish reds. Teamed with scarlet, it crafts exquisite salmon-like hues, ideal for depicting both skin tones and sunset skies. When blended with blues, it produces the gentle greens found in sunlit foliage, showcasing its versatility, and cementing its status as a timeless choice for artists spanning millennia.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Naples Yellow (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Naples Yellow SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
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