American Vermilion, Coal-tar lake 1941

Curator: This work presents “American Vermilion, Coal-tar lake,” manufactured by Ansbacher-Siegle Corp. Editor: Wow, what a striking shade! It's like captured sunset in a jar, or maybe the inside of a pomegranate. Curator: The pigment's history is tied to industrial advancements and synthetic color production, impacting accessibility for artists, and influencing cultural perceptions of color. Editor: Makes you wonder about the stories these pigments could tell, the art they’ve been a part of, and even the social shifts they represent. A lot of things have this color! Curator: Indeed. This pigment connects artmaking to broader historical narratives, influencing how we interpret the world. Editor: So much history tucked inside that little container of color.