{"product_id":"kermes-intense-lake-pigment-425137920","title":"Kermes Intense Lake Pigment","description":"\u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKermes Intense Lake is a handmade natural pigment created from real Kermes vermilio insects, which have been an ancient dye source used across the Mediterranean long before cochineal. This rich red lake pigment is produced by precipitating the dye using soda ash, following historical recipes used in Roman, Islamic, and early European art. The result is a deep, slightly warm crimson with subtle ruby undertones, prized for its historical authenticity and vibrant chroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eKermes Lake offers a powerful, regal red with amazing transparency and layering potential in watercolor and egg tempera, as well as strong tinting strength in oil. Its color harmonizes well with gold leaf and ultramarine, making it ideal for manuscript illumination, icon painting, and historically inspired works.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts high pigment load and natural binder compatibility make it a versatile choice for artists seeking to recreate the palettes of antiquity with archival permanence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistory\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKermes dye has been cultivated since the Bronze Age, especially in the Near East and Southern Europe. Often confused with cochineal, Kermes was the premier red dye in the Western world until the 16th century, associated with Roman senatorial garments, medieval royal robes, and sacred Christian texts. The word \"crimson\" itself derives from kermes, and its role in textile and pigment history cannot be overstated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePliny the Elder references coccus ilicis in his writings, noting its value and use in dyeing wool and fine textiles. Unlike Tyrian Purple, which was primarily reserved for imperial symbolism, Kermes was widely used for ecclesiastical vestments and illuminated manuscripts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eLake pigments from Kermes allowed the precious dye to be used beyond cloth\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003epreserved in paint and plaster for centuries. From Byzantine mosaics to Renaissance miniatures, its use defined wealth and holiness. The pigment eventually declined in use with the introduction of cochineal, which offered greater yield, but its legacy lives on in historically accurate reproduction and high-end artistic practice. In the pictured artwork from \"The Story of Griselda, Part III: Reunion\", Kermes is used for the briliant scarlet of the woman's dress on the left of the panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePigment Information\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePigment Type: Natural (Animal-based lake pigment from Kermes vermilio) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Cold Wax, Casein, Milk, Swedish Flour, Lime \/ Fresco, Violin \/ Varnish\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLightfastness: Good\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpacity: Transparent\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther Names: Crimson Lake, Kermes Red, Coccus Lake \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColor Index Code: NR3\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eImage: \"The Story of Griselda, Part III: Reunion\" from the National Gallery\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Morrow Archival","offers":[{"title":"500mg","offer_id":47875243016414,"sku":"PL-429-0000-500mg","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000mg","offer_id":47875243049182,"sku":"PL-429-0000-0001g","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Grams","offer_id":47875243081950,"sku":"PL-429-0000-0005g","price":240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2821\/2702\/files\/10df71ee6e84209ffc4d73b078b5122a4c28f1bb.jpg?v=1769986714","url":"https:\/\/morrowarchival.com\/products\/kermes-intense-lake-pigment-425137920","provider":"Morrow Archival","version":"1.0","type":"link"}