Lake pigment

Red lakes were particularly important in Renaissance and Baroque paintings; they were often used as translucent glazes to portray the colors of rich fabrics and draperies.

In ancient times chalk, white clay, and crushed bones were used as sources of the calcium salts.

They are common in paintings by Venetian artists of the 16th century, including Titian, to depict fine draperies and fabrics.

[2] Indigo and rose madder are now produced more cheaply from synthetic sources, although some use of natural products persists, especially among artisans.

The food and cosmetics industries have shown renewed interest in cochineal as a source of natural red dye.

Molecular diagram; refer to image caption
A typical lake pigment: Lithol Rubine BK .
Painting by the artist Titian
Titian used glazes of red lake to create the vivid crimson of the robes in The Vendramin Family Venerating a Relic of the True Cross , c. 1550–60 (detail).