Claude Monet, Irises

This pigment analysis is based on the work of the scientists at the National Gallery London (1). The scientists employed energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and laser micro spectral analysis (LMA) to identify the pigments.

1 Pure white highlight on foliage, center lower left: lead white.

2 Mid-mauve flower, center lower left: cobalt violet.
3 Dark mauve flower at left-hand side: artificial ultramarine and cobalt violet.
4 Reddish mauve flower, upper left: cobalt violet and lead white with small amounts of artificial ultramarine.

5 Deepest cold green foliage at lower left: viridian.
6 Darkest blue foliage, left-hand edge: natural ultramarine, with small amounts of lead white, cobalt violet, and viridian.

7 Greyish blue: cobalt blue mixed with lead white.

8 Orange highlight on the path: cadmium orange.
9 Yellow-green foliage, center left: viridian, zinc yellow/lemon yellow and lead white.
10 Dark olive-green of path, center: viridian, cadmium orange, cadmium yellow with small amounts of lead white, cobalt violet and cobalt blue.
11 Mid-brown of path, center: cadmium orange, cadmium yellow, and viridian.

12 Mid-tone acid-yellow, upper left: lemon yellow and zinc yellow.

13 Deep purple lake, foliage, lower-left corner: rose madder lake.

References

(1) Roy, A. ‘Monet’s Palette in the Twentieth Century: “Water-Lilies” and “Irises“‘. National Gallery Technical Bulletin Vol 28, pp 58–68. Available as pdf.

(1) Roy, A. ‘Monet’s Palette in the Twentieth Century: “Water-Lilies” and “Irises“‘. National Gallery Technical Bulletin Vol 28, pp 58–68. Available as pdf.

Biography of Claude Oscar Monet, Claudemonetgallery.org

Monet Paintings and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago A very thorough and interactive catalog of Monet’s works at the Art Institute of Chicago. Contains detailed information on the history, provenance, and technical aspects of the paintings and drawings.