Claude Monet, Water-Lilies

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 The pure white of water-lily: lead white.
2 Bright yellow impasto (paint laid on an area very thickly): cadmium yellow.
3 Blue-green at the right-hand edge: viridian mixed with lead white and traces of cobalt blue.

4 Brightest blue of water: cobalt blue, lead white, cobalt violet, artificial ultramarine, and cadmium yellow.

5 The mauve of water at lower left: cobalt violet mixed with lead white with small amounts of artificial ultramarine, cobalt blue, and viridian.

6 Bright scarlet-red of water lily, left edge: vermilion.
7 Blue of water: cobalt blue mixed with lead white, cadmium yellow, and viridian.
8 Bright orange impasto, right side: cadmium orange.

9 Lime-green of water lily, center: cadmium yellow mixed with viridian.
10 Scarlet-red water-lilies: vermilion.

11 Slight yellow at lower edge: lemon yellow and zinc yellow.

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.