Indian Yellow
Indian Yellow was a historic organic pigment produced in India, but is now made with modern synthetic pigments. Read on to learn more and shop for colours.
The history of Indian Yellow is disputed, but it was probably once made from the urine of cows fed on mango leaves. This process, which was described in 1833 by T. N. Mukharji, involved drying the urine and pressing it into balls of golden pigment. In India, the colour has been known as peorī or gogilī, and it was used by Persian and Indian artists for many years before it reached Europe. The term ‘Indian Yellow’ came about when the colour was exported in the 18th century. European painters who used the pigment included Seurat and Van Gogh, who used it in Starry Night. Production of genuine Indian Yellow stopped in the early 20th century, and today the colour is made using modern golden yellow pigments. The modern varieties tend to be orange when used thickly, but become a shining yellow when extended.
Three Polo Players, early 17th century, manuscript leaf; ink and opaque watercolour on paper, 7 x 23.3 cm, 2 3/4 x 9 3/16 in, Rogers Fund, 1975, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The history of Indian Yellow is disputed, but it was probably once made from the urine of cows fed on mango leaves. This process, which was described in 1833 by T. N. Mukharji, involved drying the urine and pressing it into balls of golden pigment.
Man Massaging Woman, unknown artist, c. 1675, 20.32 x 15.24cm, 8 x 6 in, The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fund, The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Grapes, Lemons, Pears, and Apples, Vincent van Gogh, 1887, oil on canvas, 46.5 x 55.2cm, 18 1/4 × 21 3/4 in, Gift of Kate L. Brewster, Art Institute of Chicago
In India, the colour has been known as peorī or gogilī, and it was used by Persian and Indian artists for many years before it reached Europe. The term ‘Indian Yellow’ came about when the colour was exported in the 18th century. European painters who used the pigment included Seurat and Van Gogh, who used it in Starry Night.
Seascape at Port-en-Bessin, Georges Seurat, 1888, oil on canvas, 65.1 x 80.9cm, 25 5/8 x 31 7/8 in, Gift of the W. Averell Harriman Foundation in memory of Marie N. Harriman, National Gallery of Art
Production of genuine Indian Yellow stopped in the early 20th century, and today the colour is made using modern golden yellow pigments. The modern varieties tend to be orange when used thickly, but become a shining yellow when extended.
