Maya Purple

Description

Maya Purple is a unique organic–inorganic hybrid pigment made by laking the vibrant red-purple dye from cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) into the clay mineral palygorskite, in the same way that the ancient Maya produced their famed Maya Blue. The result is a luminous purple pigment with exceptional stability compared to ordinary cochineal lakes.

Its hue is a rich magenta-violet, semi-transparent, and moderately staining, with a subtle matte surface. In watercolors, it offers gentle glazing and a delicate granulation from the clay base. The marriage of organic dye and clay mineral produces a pigment that is both beautiful and historically extraordinary.

History

The Maya were renowned for their mastery of pigment technology, most famously with Maya Blue (guatamalan indigo in palygorskite). This process stabilized a normally fugitive dye, allowing it to survive in archaeological murals, ceramics, and codices for centuries in the tropical climates of Mesoamerica.

Maya pigments appear in murals at sites such as Chichén Itzá and Bonampak, where their enduring brilliance is evidence of the sophisticated chemistry employed by ancient artisans. Unlike European lakes, which faded rapidly, Maya Pigment's mineral bond provided resistance to humidity, solvents, and biodegradation.

Today, researchers and artisans replicate this pigment both for conservation and for artists seeking to reconnect with one of the most innovative color technologies of the ancient world.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Lake

Components: Carminic Acid (from Cochineal) + Palygorskite Clay

Suitable Mediums: Oil, Watercolor, Tempera, Fresco, Encaustic

Lightfastness: Excellent compared to standard cochineal lakes (archaeological evidence shows centuries of durability)

Opacity: Semi-Transparent

Other Names: Maya Red-Purple, Palygorskite-Cochineal Lake

Color Index Code: Natural Organic (no CI number; cochineal lakes classed under NR4 / Natural Red 4)