Ultramarine Violet 1941

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have "Ultramarine Violet," manufactured by The Standard Ultramarine Co. It consists of the pigment in a glass jar alongside a painted sample. Editor: My first thought is the deep, almost melancholic blue. It reminds me of twilight, or perhaps the robes of a grieving Madonna. Curator: It's fascinating how a manufactured substance can evoke such strong emotions. I am curious about the labor involved in pigment creation and the company's impact on art history. Editor: Indeed, this intense blue has long been associated with spirituality and royalty. Ultramarine itself traditionally came from lapis lazuli, connecting this manufactured pigment to ancient symbolism. Curator: So, even in a synthetic form, it carries that weight of history and value. What we consider high art is rooted in the materiality of production. Editor: Absolutely. It's a reminder that even the most seemingly modern creations are deeply intertwined with cultural memory. Curator: A powerful reminder of the intersections between industry and cultural meaning. Editor: And that blue... it continues to resonate through time.