Ancient Green Earth

Description

Ancient Green Earth is a natural, handmade single earth pigment produced through the ancient process of grinding raw green earth. Extracted from  Verona, Italy, this pigment has been valued for centuries for its muted, earthy green hue and excellent stability. 

Ancient Green Earth is an essential color for artists seeking naturalistic greens with historical authenticity. Its soft, subtle tone makes it ideal for underpainting, glazing, and portrait work, particularly in techniques that require delicate shading and depth.

Compared to synthetic greens, Ancient Green Earth offers a unique, organic quality, blending beautifully with other natural pigments. Its gentle translucence allows for harmonious layering, making it a favorite for classical and contemporary artists alike.

History

Ancient Green Earth has been used in painting since antiquity, with origins tracing back to ancient Rome. Early frescoes, including those in Pompeii, exhibit the use of green earth pigments for natural landscapes and architectural decorations.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, this pigment played a crucial role in painting techniques such as verdaccio, a greenish-gray underpainting method used to develop realistic flesh tones. Masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael relied on green earth for shading and atmospheric effects in portraits and religious works. In the image pictured of 'The Manchester Madonna' by Michelangelo, green earth is used extensively in the background and under the flesh tones to balance strong reds. 

By the 18th and 19th centuries, this pigment remained a staple in traditional European palettes, particularly in landscape painting. Today, Ancient Green Earth is prized for its historical significance and subtle, organic beauty, preserving its legacy in fine art.

Health and Safety

Precautions:
Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Do not consume.
Not for cosmetic or food usage.
Do not spray apply. 
For further health information contact a poison control center.
Use care when handling dry pigments and avoid dust formation.
Use particular caution with fibrous, fine, or toxic pigments. 
Do not eat, drink, or smoke near dry pigments. Avoid breathing in pigment dust and use a NIOSH-certified dust respirator with sufficient rating for dry pigment. 
Wash hands immediately after use or handling. 
If dust is likely, always wear protective clothing to keep out of eyes, lungs, off skin, and out of any contact as well as keep area ventilated.
This product may contain chemicals known by the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
Warnings and bottle information are abbreviated.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural (Mineral) from minerals (Glauconite and Celadonite) (Italy)  
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic  
Lightfastness: Best  
Opacity: Semi-translucent  
Other Names: Terre Verte, Prun Green Earth, Verona Green Earth  
Color Index Code: PG23
Image: 'The Manchester Madonna' by Michelangelo from the National Gallery