Chrome Green Pigment

Description

Chrome Oxide Green is a dense, opaque green pigment made from chromium(III) oxide. It produces a stable, earthy mid-green with slightly bluish undertones, excellent opacity, and superb permanence. Unlike earlier "Chrome Greens" (mixtures of Prussian Blue and Chrome Yellow), PG17 is a single compound pigment known for its archival stability, non-reactivity, and resistance to fading.

In watercolor, it provides smooth, velvety washes with a matte finish and subtle granulation. In oils and acrylics, it is highly opaque, mixes cleanly with earths and ochres, and serves as an excellent base green for landscapes and underpainting.

History

Chromium oxide pigments were first prepared in the early 19th century. By 1862, a French chemist perfected the stable form we now call Chrome Oxide Green. It quickly gained popularity because earlier "greens" (verdigris, malachite, and Chrome Green mixtures) suffered from instability, darkening, or toxicity issues.

By the late 19th and 20th centuries, Chrome Oxide Green (PG17) became a standard industrial and artist pigment thanks to its extreme permanence, heat resistance, and chemical inertness. It was widely used not only in painting but also in ceramics, coatings, and camouflage paints during the 20th century.

In the pictured artwork "Arrival of the Normandy Train" by Claude Monet, Chrome Green is used throughout to create the atmosphere and intense greens of the train station.

Today, PG17 remains one of the most important stable green pigments, valued by fine artists, conservators, and manufacturers alike.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic Inorganic
Chemical Composition: Cr₂O₃ (Chromium(III) Oxide)
Source: Chromium oxide
Origin: Global industrial (19th century adoption)
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Fresco, Ceramics
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Opaque
Other Names: Chromium Oxide Green, Chrome Oxide, Permanent Green
Color Index Code: PG17
Image: "Arrival of the Normandy Train" by Claude Monet from the Art Institute of Chicago

Health and Safety

• For art use only. Not for cosmetic, food or children's use.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.
• Avoid creating or breathing dust. Work in a ventilated area and wear a NIOSH approved dust respirator (P100 or better) when handling dry pigment.
• Wear gloves and eye protection. Wash hands and work surfaces after use, and never rinse pigment into drains.
• Do not spray apply, sand or burn.
• If swallowed or if you feel unwell, contact a poison control center (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or a doctor.
• Safety Data Sheet available on request.

Caution: May cause an allergic skin reaction. Avoid breathing dust and repeated skin contact.