True Bovine Indian Yellow

Description

True Indian Yellow is an exceptionally rare, natural pigment ethically made from the purified urine of cows fed a rich diet of mango leaves, resulting in the formation of magnesium and calcium euxanthate salts. Carefully collected, extensively purified, and processed into rich pigment, True Indian Yellow produces a glowing, rich yellow with strongly warm tones, renowned for its extraordinary luminosity, transparency, and depth.

In watercolor, True Indian Yellow offers radiant, transparent washes that shift between golden yellow and strong orange depending on dilution and layering. In egg tempera and oil painting, it creates luminous glazes ideal for sunlit scenes, golden drapery, botanical subjects, and traditional Indian miniature painting. Its extraordinary brilliance and light-capturing ability make it unmatched among yellow pigments.

History

True Indian Yellow originated in India and was known as early as the 15th century, reaching peak fame in the 17th and 18th centuries when it was exported to Europe. Beloved by artists such as Turner and Reynolds, Indian Yellow was prized for its glowing, transparent quality and was frequently used in glazes to create the effect of radiant sunlight. In the pictured artwork "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh, True Indian Yellow is used mixed with Zinc Yellow for the gorgeous rich yellow of the crescent moon.

The pigment was produced through a unique and laborious process involving cows fed primarily on mango leaves, which led to the excretion of a bright orange-yellow urine rich in magnesium and calcium euxanthate. This material was collected, dried into lumps or balls, and later refined for artistic use. Due to concerns over the welfare of the animals involved, the traditional method of making True Indian Yellow was largely phased out in the early 20th century, and synthetic substitutes or Indian Ochres eventually replaced it.

Today, True Indian Yellow is made from a carefully monitored process of well-nourished cows that have a diet rich, but not entirely of mango leaves that results in magnesium euxanthate when purified. This is an entirely ethical process that honors the original material without involving any harmful practices, allowing artists to experience the historic color in a humane and ethical form. Indian Yellow can include many different variations of color ranging from light yellow to deep orange.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural organic pigment (purified magnesium euxanthate)

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil (glazing), Acrylic

Lightfastness: Good to Very Good (especially when protected from harsh conditions)

Opacity: Transparent

Other Names: Original Indian Yellow, Indian Yellow Genuine, Purified Magnesium Euxanthate

Color Index Code: NY 20

Image: "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh from the MOMA