A story of blue

Blue has long proved a problem for artists. There are few blue materials in nature that can serve as pigment for painters. During the Renaissance period artists used a pigment called natural ultramarine, lauded for its rich and striking appearance.

In this Nature Video, we visit London’s National Gallery to hear the story of natural ultramarine; where it came from, how famous painters used it, and how advances in chemistry during the 19th century enabled the production of a synthetic version which revolutionized painters’ palettes.

[Diablofeb]

I make this paint at home using old techniques all the time with lapis it is one of the most beautiful paints ive ever used. Its truly amazing ancient science.

[dainababeckas]

was he wearing all blue for the video or was it a coincidence?

[jleviathan]

He has a really nice soothing voice, to be honest. Really pleasant to listen to :)

[rose]

I love how this guy is wearing blue like it's nothing because it is. What a time to be alive.

[artomelets]

Excellent video on the history of ultramarine.

[hilalzamary]

I am from Afghanistan and lapis lazuli in Afghanistan is called Lajaward (لاجورد)

[tyz]

The guy keeps getting quieter towards the end of each of his sentences :/ anyways interesting video!

[whodat]

Surprised that "egyptian blue" or calcium carbon silicate wasn't mentioned. It was considered to be the 1st synthetic pigment according to another video.

[greeneyes]

It explains everything. I went to Romania, Monasteries were painted with blue paint. They made a big deal about the blue paint and I didn't understand why after all these years now I know why. Lol

[TheMadisonHang]

i'm taking a music history class and there is a painting mentioned in the textbook
The Blue Boy - by Thomas Gainsborough

trying to understand why it is so famous
and it must be because the color blue was majestically in some way, in the process of getting it

[nikkiidaniels]

the discovery of the murals behind the bamiyan buddhas after they were blown up in afghanistan kinda changes the history of the use of colour dramatically.. by about 900 years

[peixotosimoneable]

please subtitle this in portuguese!!!! It´s great material for us to use in teaching!!

[louisezero]

Maybe add subtitles? The ones provided by youtube aren't accurate enough.

[Tenarr]

WHat about both "Egyptian blue" and "China blue"; both were being used far earlier that any blue pigment mentioned here.

[AKrn]

Will there be a part two of the story of blue? Because I don't think the story is done yet.

[邹炭]

Very relaxing video to watch before sleeping

[dubuyajay]

No mention of Egyptian Blue or the late Classical/Early Medieval Germanics making blue dye and paint out of plants (I forget which plant it was)?

[grvonny]

"Oh I'm talking about blue today?" Throws on a blue shirt.

[philipwalsh]

Does anyone know the harp music that accompanies this video?

[louisezero]

I have a lot of problems understanding what he's saying :(