Timeline for Red Pigments

Red ochre is one of the oldest painting materials known to Man. The main colour giving component is the mineral hematite.

Madder lake can be prepared from the roots of the madder plant. The main colouring component is alizarine bound to an inorganic substrate.

The name carmine is used for two similar pigments derived from different insects. Cochineal is won from a scale insect living on cacti.

Red lead is a mixed oxide of lead with the formula Pb3O4. The pigment has been prepared artificially but can also be found in nature.

Dragon's blood is a rare red pigment that is secreted by the wounded trunk of the trees of the species Dracaena.

Vermilion is mercuric sulfide with the formula HgS. The oldest form of vermilion is the finely ground mineral cinnabar.

Cadmium red is cadmium sulfide and selenide (sulfoselenide). All cadmium compounds are toxic and are only rarely used in oil painting.

Chrome red (basic lead chromate) is a rather unstable pigment that was rarely employed in European oil painting.