malachite

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Malachite

It is perhaps the oldest known green pigment.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 10300
Chemical description: mineral basic copper(II) carbonate. Kremer PDF
Color: green
Color Index: PG30
More info: Pigments Through The Ages Colourlex

Malachite is one of the earliest green pigments used by humankind, valued for its vivid, naturally occurring hue long before the emergence of synthetic greens. A basic copper carbonate mineral, malachite was mined and processed as early as ancient Egypt, where it served both as a cosmetic and as a pigment for wall paintings and decorative objects. Its strong, opaque green appears prominently in Egyptian tomb art and on wooden, papyrus, and plaster surfaces.

Across the ancient Mediterranean, malachite was used extensively by Greek and Roman painters, who ground the mineral into a fine powder to produce a range of greens from soft, delicate tones to saturated emerald shades. Its presence has also been found in Byzantine frescoes and icons, where its stability and availability made it a reliable choice for large-scale mural projects.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, malachite continued to play a central role in both panel painting and manuscript illumination. Although sensitive to acids and prone to alteration under certain conditions, malachite offered artists a natural green unmatched in brilliance at the time. It was especially valued for mixing with yellow pigments to create varied greens and for glazing effects when finely ground.

The pigment’s importance began to decline in the 18th and 19th centuries with the introduction of more stable and intense synthetic greens, such as emerald green, and later chromium-based pigments. Still, malachite remained in use for traditional techniques and decorative arts.

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