malachite (pigment)
- Scope note
- Green crystalline copper carbonate prepared as pigment by selection, grinding, washing, and levigation of the malachite mineral. Coarsely ground malachite gives a dark green color while finely ground particles give a lighter more transparent tone. It is a lightfast, but sensitive to acids and sulfur fumes. Basic copper carbonate can also be made artificially by coloring chalk with copper sulfate, then called "green verditer." Natural malachite was occasionally used in tempera-based paintings before the 16th century and later, green verditer was used for both distemper and oil based interior house paints in the 19th century.
- Date of creation: 22-Apr-2024
Accepted term: 22-Apr-2024