Hansa Yellow 

Editor: This is "Hansa Yellow," an undated pigment manufactured by Fezandie & Sperrle, from the Harvard Art Museums. I notice the color chart next to the pigment, almost like a key. What do you see in this seemingly simple presentation? Curator: The yellow pigment, encased in glass, echoes a history of alchemy. The star symbol – is it a mark of quality, a coded message, or perhaps a guide for the artist's journey? Consider what “yellow” has meant through time and cultures; it’s far from neutral. Editor: So, it’s less about the color itself and more about what it represents, culturally? Curator: Precisely. Yellow's been associated with divinity and betrayal. What memories does this pigment evoke for you? Editor: Fascinating. I'll never look at a color the same way again!