Quinacridone Purple: Characteristics and Uses - Cultural Heritage Science Open Source

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PV 55 – quinacridone purple

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.

One of the most recent pigments

Manufacturer/ product code: Kremer / 23730
Chemical Description: unique crystal form from mixture of 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone
Color: violet
Color Index: PV 55
Date: from 2011

PV 55 – Quinacridone Purple is a synthetic organic pigment belonging to the quinacridone family, known for its exceptional lightfastness, chemical stability, and high chromatic purity. PV 55 is characterized by a deep, cool purple hue with a balanced mix of red and blue undertones, offering strong color intensity and transparency. Its vibrant yet controlled coloration makes it highly suitable for both artistic and industrial applications where precision and permanence are required.

Chemically, PV 55 is based on the quinacridone molecular structure, composed of fused aromatic rings with carbonyl and nitrogen groups. This configuration provides outstanding resistance to light, heat, and solvents, ensuring excellent stability in paints, coatings, inks, and plastics. Its chemical robustness distinguishes it from less stable organic purple pigments and allows for reliable long-term performance in demanding conditions.

In artistic use, Quinacridone Purple exhibits strong tinting strength and transparency, enabling layering, glazing, and nuanced color mixing. When combined with whites, it produces soft violet and mauve tints, while mixtures with blues or reds yield a range of rich purples and deep shadow tones. Its clarity and transparency make it particularly valuable for glazing techniques, watercolors, and transparent layers in oil and acrylic painting.