Cadmium Red
Artificial inorganic pigmentComposition and Properties of Cadmium Red
Cadmium red is cadmium sulfoselenide Cd(S,Se). Cadmium red contains between 15 to 30% (and more) selenium. The variations are solid solutions of selenium sulfide in cadmium sulfide.
It is stable as a pure pigment. The occurrences of bleaching or darkening in the beginnings of its use were due to impurities. The pigment is lightfast and there are no reports to the contrary. It is not compatible with lead and copper-containing pigments as they form dark sulfides of lead or copper.
Video: 'Mixing Cadmium Red Light - Vasari Classic Oil Colour' by Jackson's Art
Pigment
Painted swatch
Henri Matisse, The Red Studio, 1911
NamesÂ
Alternative names
Cadmium sulfoselenide
Color Index
PR 108, CI 77202
Word origin
Word coined in Modern Latin from cadmia, a word used by ancient naturalists for various earths and oxides (especially zinc carbonate), from Greek kadmeia “Cadmean (earth),” from Kadmos “Cadmus,” legendary founder of Boeotian Thebes. So called because the earth was first found in the vicinity of Thebes (Kadmeioi was an alternative name for “Thebans” since the time of Homer).
From WordFinder
Cadmiumrot
German
Rouge de cadmium
French
Rosso di cadmio
Italian
rojo de cadmio
Spanish
Preparation of Cadmium Red
Cadmium orange and red can be prepared by a reaction of a solution of a cadmium salt, such as cadmium chloride, with a solution of sodium sulfide and sodium selenide in the desired proportion.
History of UseÂ
Cadmium pigments have been in use since about 1840 until today. They might get banned in the European Union in the next future because of their toxicity.
Example of use
Henri Matisse, Interior with Black Fern, 1948
Identification
Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectrum (FORS)
 FORS spectrum by A. Cosentino, Cultural Heritage Science Open Source (CHSOS)
Infrared Spectrum
1. IR Spectrum of cadmium red light in the ATR-FT-IR spectra of different pure inorganic pigments, University of Tartu, Estonia.
2. IR Spectrum of cadmium red light in linseed oil by S. Vahur, Database of ATR-IR spectra of materials related to paints and coatings, University of Tartu, Estonia
X-Ray Fluorescence Spektrum (XRF)
XRF Spectrum in the Free XRF Spectroscopy Database of Pigments Checker, CHSOS website.
References
(1) Thoury M, Delaney JK, Rie ER, Palmer M, Morales K, Krueger J., Near-infrared luminescence of cadmium pigments: in situ identification and mapping in paintings, Appl Spectrosc. 2011 Aug;65(8):939-51. doi: 10.1366/11-06230.
Microphotograph
image © Volker Emrath
Further Reading
References
(1) Fiedler, I., Bayard, M.A., Cadmium Yellows, Oranges, and Reds, in Artists’ Pigments. A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics, Vol. 1: Feller, R.L. (Ed.) Oxford University Press 1986, p. 65 – 108. Available as pdf from the National Gallery of Art.
(2) S. Muntwyler, J. Lipscher, HP. Schneider, Das Farbenbuch, 2nd. Ed., 2023, alataverlag Elsau, pp. 110-111.
