Cobalt Blue (Hue) | Matisse Studio acrylic paint

Cobalt Blue (Hue) | Matisse Studio acrylic paint

Cobalt Blue’s origins stretch back over 2,500 years when it was used to tint blue glass in ancient Mesopotamia. However, its true nature was not entirely understood, leading to irregular and incidental usage. The pigment is naturally found alongside copper and nickel ores, often in the presence of arsenic—a notoriously toxic heavy metal. In Europe, Saxon miners seeking copper would inadvertently smelt cobalt-bearing ores, releasing arsenic oxide fumes. This hazardous byproduct led them to curse the mineral, naming it kobald—a 13th century Germanic reference to mischievous goblins. The contemporary term Cobalt has evolved from this folklore-laden name.

During the Middle Ages, alchemists used the mineral to develop Smalt—a ground blue glass pigment reminiscent of the alluring yet irreplicable Egyptian Blue. Though visually similar, Smalt was cobalt-based rather than copper-based and, despite its affordability, was a weak and gritty pigment lacking refinement. It wasn’t until 1755 that Swedish chemist Georg Brandt identified cobalt as a distinct element. Further advancements led to the development of true Cobalt Blue in 1802 by Louis Jacques Thénard, which quickly replaced smalt due to its superior properties.

Like Cerulean blue hue the wonderful colour of Matisse Studio Cobalt blue has been informed by the true Cobalt blue – without actually containing Cobalt. For painters, it offers an ideal balance of opacity and brilliance, producing luminous sky blues, nuanced greens, and rich violets—making it an indispensable colour on any artist’s palette.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse STUDIO Cobalt Blue (Hue) (SDS)

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