Naples yellow medium

Naples yellow medium is genuine Naples yellow, a synthetic lead antimonate pigment powder (PY41), here in a warm, golden mid-yellow. It covers well and gives soft, opaque, slightly muted yellows in oil, egg tempera, watercolor and gouache, and it is also used in ceramics.

Key facts

• Color: warm golden yellow
• Pigment type: Synthetic inorganic pigment (lead antimonate)
• Colour Index: PY41 (C.I. 77588, 77589)
• Composition: lead antimonate, Pb₂Sb₂O₇, with zinc oxide, ZnO (supplier data)
• Origin: synthetic
• Also known as: lead antimonate yellow, antimony yellow
• Opacity: opaque
• Lightfastness: 6–7 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data)
• Chemical resistance: alkali 5/5, lime 5/5 (supplier data, 5 = best); discolored by hydrogen sulfide and by contact with iron
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, ceramics
• Packaging: 50 g jar · 1 kg bag

How to use

Mull the powder with a glass muller into linseed oil, egg yolk, gum arabic or acrylic medium, wetting it with a little binder first to keep dust down. Avoid steel knives and palettes: contact with iron can discolor it, so use glass, horn or plastic tools. In oil it dries fairly quickly and speeds up the drying of mixtures. Keep it apart from sulfide pigments, which darken lead colors.

About Naples yellow

A recipe for lead antimonate yellow appears in Italy at the beginning of the 17th century, and the pigment was most popular in European painting from about 1750 to 1850, before chrome, cadmium and cobalt yellows largely replaced it. Manet still used it in 1862 for the mustard-yellow chairs of Music in the Tuileries. Many modern paints sold as Naples yellow are mixtures of other pigments; this one is lead antimonate.

Safety

Contains lead (lead antimonate): toxic if swallowed or inhaled, may damage the unborn child and is suspected of damaging fertility, and may cause organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure. Not for use by children or during pregnancy. Handle dry pigment with care: avoid breathing the dust and contact with eyes. Wear a dust mask (FFP2/N95) and gloves when working with the powder, work in a well-ventilated area and wipe up spills with a damp cloth. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working; wash your hands afterwards. Keep away from children and pets. For artistic and technical use only — not for cosmetics, food or tattoos.

FAQ

Is this genuine Naples yellow?

Yes: it is lead antimonate (PY41), with zinc oxide according to our supplier, not a lead-free mixture of other pigments. That is why it carries a lead warning.

Naples yellow medium or light?

Both are the same lead antimonate pigment. Naples yellow medium is deeper and warmer, close to golden yellow; Naples yellow light is paler and cooler.