#10700
Orpiment, genuine

Auripigment, genuine is a sparkling, translucent golden yellow mineral found in hot springs and volcanoes. The origin of the modern name comes from the Latin term auri pigmentum or auripigment, meaning gold color. Inorganic yellow pigment, natural arsenic sulfide, As2S3. This mineral is found in many areas, although in small quantities. The main ancient deposits were in Hungary, Macedonia, Asia Minor, Central Asia and China. It was widely used before 1300 and later replaced because it is a very rare and very toxic pigment. It was found in the paintings of Tell el-Amarna (Egypt) and in Byzantine, Persian and Irish manuscripts, but hardly in continental Europe. It is a pale yellow with good hiding power in coarse particles, stable in light and air. It is not attacked by dilute acids or alkalis, but is attacked by strong acids. It is not compatible with copper pigments and some of the lead pigments. Vitruvio and Cennini claim that it cannot be used in fresh air.

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