• Kermes Lake is a rare, historical red pigment made from the dried bodies of Kermes vermilio insects, used since antiquity for its deep, warm crimson color. Revered in medieval and Renaissance painting, it produces a rich, transparent red with subtle violet undertones, ideal for glazing and layering. This pigment offers smooth application in watercolor and oil, with moderate lightfastness, best suited for protected artworks and fine historical restoration.
  • Kermes Medium Lake Pigment
  • Kermes Medium Lake Pigment
  • The Decameron, a fourteenth-century collection of stories, tells the tale of Griselda, a peasant woman who was put through a series of tests by her rich husband, the Marquis Gualtieri di Saluzzo. This is the final panel of a series of three; it shows the couple’s reunion after Griselda’s ordeal. After pretending to annul their marriage, the Marquis tells Griselda he is marrying again and asks her to arrange the wedding feast; we see her at the far left of the painting, sweeping the floor.
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Kermes Medium Lake Pigment

Kermes Medium Lake Pigment

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Description

Kermes Medium 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.

Kermes Lake offers a powerful, regal red with subtle 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.

Its high pigment load and natural binder compatibility make it a versatile choice for artists seeking to recreate the palettes of antiquity with archival permanence.

History

Kermes 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.

Pliny 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.

Lake pigments from Kermes allowed the precious dye to be used beyond cloth, preserved 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 brilliant scarlet of the woman's dress on the left of the panel.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural (Animal based lake pigment from Kermes vermilio)
Source: Extraction from kermes insects (Kermes vermilio)
Origin: Turkey (natural)
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil, Acrylic, Fresco
Lightfastness: Great
Opacity: Semi-translucent
Other Names: Crimson Lake, Kermes Red, Coccus Lake
Color Index Code: NR3
Image: "The Story of Griselda, Part III: Reunion" from the National Gallery

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.