Orpiment (King's Yellow) 1929

Curator: This is a pigment sample, “Orpiment (King’s Yellow),” manufactured by Charles Roberson & Co. Editor: There's a quiet allure in its subdued presentation, the granular pigment contained within glass, juxtaposed against a simple card. Curator: Orpiment, chemically arsenic sulfide, enjoyed a rich history. Its brilliance made it highly sought after, though the toxicity posed risks. Editor: The card showing the pigment with linseed oil makes me think of a pre-industrial color chart, a relic documenting artistic practice. Curator: Indeed. Artists relied on pigments like Orpiment, and these materials deeply influenced the chromatic range of paintings. Editor: It prompts consideration of the artist’s agency, balanced with the material constraints inherent in each historical moment. Curator: Yes, how materials shape the arc of art history. Editor: Precisely; a fascinating insight into how substances impact our visual world.