massicot

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Massicot

The name massicot is derived from early Arabic, through Spanish mazacote and the French name for oxide of lead

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 43010
Chemical description: Lead(II)oxide, Kremer PDF
Color: yellow
Color Index: PY46
More info: Natural Pigments

Massicot, the yellow form of lead monoxide (PbO), is one of the most ancient pigments known to artists. Its use can be traced back to antiquity, particularly in Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where it appears in wall paintings, decorative objects, and ceramics. Often produced unintentionally during metallurgical processes, massicot was later prepared deliberately by heating lead in controlled conditions, yielding a soft, warm yellow with good opacity. Its color ranges from pale lemon to deep golden tones, depending on particle size and production method.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, massicot served both as a pigment and as a precursor in the manufacture of other lead-based colors. Artists used it in manuscript illumination, panel painting, and especially in glazing techniques, where it contributed to warm highlights and flesh tones. It could be mixed with lead white to create subtle tints or combined with earth pigments to enrich ochres and browns. Its presence is frequently detected in underlayers and preparatory stages of European paintings, revealing its practical and versatile nature.

Massicot remained in use into the early modern period, although its popularity diminished as more stable and vibrant yellows appeared, such as lead-tin yellow, Naples yellow, and later chrome and cadmium-based pigments. Its sensitivity to heat and tendency to oxidize into the red form of lead oxide (minium) posed challenges for painters seeking long-term chromatic stability.

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