Chrome Orange

Synthetic inorganic pigment

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Composition and Properties of Chrome Orange

Chrome orange is basic lead chromate with the chemical formula PbO • PbCrO₄. It has the same chemical composition as chrome red, different shades from orange to red are due to different particle sizes.

All chromates are affected by acids and alkalis. The basic character of this pigment makes it more resistant to alkalis and less resistant to acids than chrome yellow, it is also not very lightfast and darkens with age. It is compatible with all other pigments.

Pigment

Painted swatch

Names

Alternative names

Golden orange-yellow, chrome cinnabar

Color Index

PO 21, CI 77601

Word origin

After the element chromium, from Greek khrōma = color

Chromorange

German

Orangé de chrôme

French

Arancio di cromo

Italian

Naranja de cromo

Spanish

Preparation

Attention: All chromates and dichromates are highly toxic chemicals and should not be used by people not trained to handle them.

Basic lead chromate can be prepared by reaction of neutral lead chromate with alkalis.

Video: 'Chromate Pigments part 2' by The Alchemical Arts

History of Use

The French chemist Louis Vauquelin discovered the element chrome in 1797. Shortly after the possibility of using lead chromate as a pigment was recognized and the first methods of preparation were invented. The records of usage of chrome orange are rare.

References

(1) Roy, A. The Palettes of Three Impressionist Paintings, National Gallery Technical Bulletin, Vol 9, 1985, 12-20

Examples of use

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, La Yole, ca 1879

Renoir used chrome yellow (lead chromate) and lemon yellow (here strontium chromate and not the more common barium chromate) for the body of the boat and chrome orange (basic lead chromate) for its outline.

Pierre-Auguste_Renoir, La_Yole, detail