History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t3.5

v1.c20.s3.t3.5

At Ajaṇtā, Bāg and other caves, the colours most freely used were white, red and brown in various tints, a dull green and also blue. For white colour, sulphate of lime was used. Red and brown tints were obtained from compound of iron. Blue colour was obtained by grinding calcined lapislazuli - a costly semiprecious mineral usually imported. For yellow, the ancient painters used orpiment, a natural arsenic sulphide. In fresco paintings the pigments should be capable of resisting the decomposing action of lime and hence extra attention had to be bestowed upon selection of proper pigments. The fresco paintings testify to the knowledge and skill of the painters in preparing permanent colours out of vegetable and mineral sources.