Quinacridone Magenta: Spectroscopic Analysis Methods

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PR 122 – quinacridone magenta

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.

Widely used pigments in industry and arts

Manufacturer/ product code: Kremer / 23401
Chemical Description: quinacridone
Color: red
Color Index: PR 122
Date: —

PR 122 – Quinacridone Magenta is a modern synthetic organic pigment celebrated for its exceptional chromatic purity, high tinting strength, and outstanding permanence. Introduced in the mid-20th century with the industrial development of quinacridone chemistry, PR 122 quickly became a cornerstone of contemporary artists’ palettes, especially in high-performance paints and inks.

Visually, PR 122 presents a clean, intense magenta with a distinct bluish undertone. Unlike traditional crimson or carmine pigments, it offers remarkable transparency and brilliance, allowing for luminous glazes and subtle optical mixtures. Its hue makes it indispensable for mixing violets, purples, and cool reds, as well as for producing vivid pinks when diluted. In color mixing, PR 122 pairs particularly well with phthalocyanine blues and greens, yielding a wide gamut of saturated secondary colors.

From a technical perspective, quinacridone magenta is valued for its excellent lightfastness, chemical stability, and resistance to solvents and environmental degradation. These properties make it suitable not only for fine art paints—oil, acrylic, and watercolor—but also for industrial applications such as printing inks, plastics, and automotive coatings.