• Catherine of Alexandria, a fourth-century princess, was converted to Christianity and in a vision underwent a mystic marriage with Christ. When she would not give up her faith, Emperor Maxentius ordered that she be bound to a spiked wheel and tortured to death. However, a thunderbolt destroyed the wheel before it could harm her. Catherine was then beheaded.
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Madder Medium Lake

Madder Medium Lake

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Description

Madder Lake Medium is a handmade single pigment made through a historical process. This is our middle madder lake making it a beautiful rose unlike any other. The pigment distinguishes itself over other plant lakes by good lightfastness, on account of which it occupies an esteemed position in dyeing and color-making.


Madder lake is a highly transparent pigment, making it ideal for glazing and layering techniques. Renowned for its warm, rich hues — ranging from delicate pinks to deep reds — it has been a favorite among artists for centuries. While natural madder offers unmatched depth and complexity due to its unique blend of organic colorants like purpurin, it is less lightfast than some modern reds and may fade over time. Unlike synthetic alizarin, which lacks the same richness, natural madder continues to be valued for its luminous, historical beauty.


History

Madder, derived from the roots of Rubia tinctorum, has been a prized red dye for centuries. Used in ancient Egypt as early as 1500 BC, it became a staple in Greek and Roman textiles.


During the Middle Ages, its cultivation spread across Europe, particularly in France and the Netherlands by the 13th century. The dye produced a spectrum of reds, from soft pinks to deep crimsons, depending on the mordants used. In the pictured artwork 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria' by Raphael, Madder Lake is used in the red drapery of the saint in combination with Carmine Lake.


By the 17th century, artists like Johannes Vermeer used madder lake to create luminous reds. In The Girl with the Wine Glass, he layered madder over vermilion to enhance the richness of the red skirt.


The 19th century brought change when chemists isolated alizarin, madder’s key pigment, leading to synthetic production in 1868. This made dyes more affordable and consistent, reducing reliance on natural madder.


Despite this shift, natural madder remains valued by artists and traditional textile makers for its unique depth and complexity, preserving its legacy in color history.


Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural (lake process) from plants (Rubia tinctorium)

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic

Lightfastness: Good

Opacity: High translucence

Other Names: Rose Madder Lake, Madder root extract, Natural Alizarin, Rubia tinctorium lake, dyer's madder, rose madder

Color Index Code: NR9

Image: 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria' by Raphael from the National Gallery