Prussian Blue/Orpiment: Ukiyo-e colorant

Prussian blue + Orpiment: Green is achieved by mixing or overprinting a blue and a yellow colorant. By altering the proportions of each, a wide variation of greens could be obtained. While the most frequently found green is indigo + orpiment, Prussian blue + orpiment is found after the introduction of Prussian blue into the palette of ukiyo-e prints in the 1830s.

For additional information see: Prussian blue, Orpiment

Examples of Prussian blue + Orpiment in Ukiyo-e Prints

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Analysis

Fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) is used to identify Prussian blue and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect arsenic (As) and sulfur (S), which is an indication of the presence of orpiment (As₂S₃). For more information, please see the individual colorant pages, Prussian blue and orpiment.

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  FORS spectrum of Prussian blue reference
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  XRF spectrum of Orpiment

List of Prints

Below is a list of prints where Prussian blue + orpiment was detected.