cadmium red

Home » Products » Pigments Checkers » Pigments Checker » Pigments Checker – Standard – Pigments’ List » cadmium red

Cadmium red

This page presents the Spectroscopic analysis of this pigment.
The pigment has been examined using XRF spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and Reflectance Spectroscopy. These complementary techniques provide valuable insights into the pigment’s composition and structure.
This page aims to show which analytical methods are most effective for identifying this pigment in artworks and historical materials. By comparing results across different techniques, it serves as a practical reference for Heritage Science, Conservation, and Pigment Analysis.

Matisse recounts that he attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade Renoir to adopt a “cadmium red” in place of the traditional cinnabar.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 21120
Chemical description: cadmium selenosulfide;. Kremer PDF
Color: red
Color Index: PR108
More info: Pigments Through The Ages

Cadmium Red is a vivid, high-impact red pigment prized for its intensity, opacity, and exceptional permanence. Chemically based on cadmium sulfoselenide, it was introduced in the early 20th century and quickly became a cornerstone of modern artists’ palettes. Cadmium red is available in a range of hues—from light, slightly orange-leaning reds to deep, bluish crimson tones—allowing painters fine control over chromatic expression. One of its defining qualities is its strong covering power, which makes it ideal for bold passages, highlights, and confident brushwork. Unlike many earlier red pigments, it exhibits outstanding lightfastness and chemical stability, retaining its brilliance over decades when properly applied. For this reason, cadmium red has been widely used in oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting, as well as in industrial and design applications. Despite concerns related to cadmium toxicity that have led to regulated use, its optical performance continues to set a benchmark against which alternative red pigments are measured.

Raman spectroscopy 632 nm

Cadmium red 21120 Raman Spectroscopy Pigments Checker

XRF spectroscopy

XRF Spectroscopy Pigments-Checker Database (88986 downloads )

DOWNLOAD previous database from Pigments Checker V.3 DOWNLOAD paper: R. Larsen, N. Coluzzi, A. Cosentino “Free XRF Spectroscopy database of Pigments Checker” Intl Journal of Conservation Science.

Pigments Checker (TP-MSI calibration card included)

Learn Technical Photography for Art Examination

Technical Photography is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—tools for the scientific examination of art and archaeology. If you are a conservator, scientist, or art collector and you are not yet familiar with this method, it is truly a missed opportunity. Using simple, affordable equipment and a clear methodology, Technical Photography allows you to reveal underdrawings, retouchings, material differences, and conservation issues in a completely non-invasive way. Far from being complex or inaccessible, it is an easy entry point into scientific analysis. In many cases, Technical Photography represents the first essential step toward a deeper understanding of artworks and archaeological objects.