• A glass bowl filled with a yellow substance, possibly a powder or spice, is shown in the image.
  • This is one of three self portraits Rembrandt made just before his death in 1669. About 80 survive from his 40-year career, far more than any other artist of his time. He painted them for different reasons ‚Äì to practice different expressions, to experiment with lighting effects, and also to sell to wealthy patrons and collectors.In this one, Rembrandt is preoccupied with depicting the textures and colors of his own aging face.
  • Deep Stil de Grain natural yellow pigment, derived from unripe buckthorn berries, historically used in oil, watercolor, and tempera painting. Offers a warm, transparent golden hue with excellent glazing properties. Favored by Renaissance and Baroque artists for its luminous quality. Finely ground for smooth application in fine art and historical restoration. Available in various sizes.
1 5

Stil de Grain Deep Pigment

Stil de Grain Deep Pigment

$12.00
$0.00 $12.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Sizes
View full details

Description

Buckthorn Lake is a natural lake pigment derived from Buckthorn berries of Rhamnus cathartica. The berries are processed with a calcium carbonate mordant to yield a range of vibrant, golden tone of soft yellow. Historically, this pigment was widely used in manuscript illumination, textile dyeing, and fine art painting due to its rich, organic color.


Buckthorn Lake provides a delicate yet warm yellow with subtle transparency, making it ideal for glazing techniques. It blends beautifully with other natural pigments and creates soft, luminous effects in watercolor, oil, and tempera applications. However, like many organic lake pigments, it is moderately lightfast and may fade over time with prolonged exposure to sunlight.


Compared to synthetic yellows, Buckthorn Lake offers a more muted, earthy tone, making it a preferred choice for historical restoration and artists seeking natural hues.


History

Ancient and Medieval Use (Antiquity - 1400s CE): Used as a textile dye and in manuscript illumination, particularly in medieval European art.


Renaissance and Baroque Period (1400s - 1700s CE): Widely known as "Stil de Grain" in France and "Dutch Pink" in the Netherlands, it became a staple pigment in painting and decorative arts. In the pictured self portrait by Rembrandt, Deep Stil de Grain is used throughout the portrait subject and background as a translucent glaze to give a golden glow to the painting.


19th Century Decline (1800s CE): With the rise of synthetic dyes and pigments, its use diminished in favor of more permanent yellow pigments such as chrome yellow and cadmium yellow.


Contemporary Applications: Primarily used in historical reconstructions, manuscript conservation, and by artists who prefer natural pigment sources.


Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural Lake Pigment

Source: Rhamnus cathartica or Rhamnus frangula (Buckthorn Berries)

Country of Origin: Europe, Mediterranean, Asia

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Cold Wax, Casein, Milk, Swedish Flour, Lime / Fresco, Violin / Varnish

Lightfastness: Moderate to Low

Opacity: Semi-transparent

Other Names: Pink, Dutch Pink, Yellow Lake, Buckthorn Yellow

Color Index Code: NY14

Image: 'Self Portrait at the Age of 63' by Rembrandt from the National Gallery