cobalt violet

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Cobalt violet

The first real violet pigment prepared in 1859. Its high cost and low tinting power prevented its wider use in painting and it was replaced by the cleaner manganese violet.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 45800
Chemical description: cobalt phosphate
Color: violet
Color Index: PV14
More info: Pigments Through The Ages Colourlex

Cobalt violet is one of the earliest synthetic violet pigments, introduced in the second half of the 19th century as artists sought stable alternatives to the fugitive organic violets then in use. Produced from cobalt salts combined with phosphates or arsenates (the earliest versions contained cobalt arsenate), it offered a softly luminous, slightly granulating purple unlike any natural pigment available at the time. Its delicate, cool hue quickly attracted painters of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist periods, who valued its ability to create atmospheric shadows, floral tones, and subtle transitions in skies and landscapes.
In art, cobalt violet is appreciated for its gentle transparency, low tinting strength, and unique pastel clarity. These characteristics make it ideal for glazing, optical mixing, and building soft chromatic layers without overwhelming adjacent colours. Modern formulations avoid the toxic arsenate compounds, relying instead on cobalt phosphate chemistry, which preserves the pigment’s characteristic softness while improving safety. Highly lightfast and chemically stable, cobalt violet remains a refined choice for artists seeking a nuanced, permanent violet with a poetic, understated presence.

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