Orpiment

Orpiment - streak color

Realgar and orpiment-2

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RAFAEL - Madonna Sixtina (Gemäldegalerie Alter Meister, Dresden, 1513-14. Óleo sobre lienzo, 265 x 196 cm)

Wilton diptych

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Jacopo Tintoretto - Portrait of Vincenzo Morosini - WGA22697

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Giovanni Bellini and Titian - The Feast of the Gods - Google Art Project

Orpiment is a mineral that has been known and used by humans for thousands of years. Its chemical composition is arsenic sulfide (As₂S₃), and it is known for its striking bright yellow to orange color. Orpiment, along with realgar, another arsenic sulfide mineral, was historically used as a pigment in art and as a component in various medicines, despite its toxicity.

Properties and Occurrence

Orpiment occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, hot spring deposits, and volcanic fumaroles. It often associates with realgar, and the two minerals can be found together in the same deposits. Orpiment is soft, with a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2, and it has a resinous to pearly luster. Its bright color is the most distinctive feature, which has made it a sought-after mineral for various uses throughout history.

Historical Uses

Historically, orpiment was used as a pigment in ancient Egypt, the Middle East, and China. It was valued for its vibrant color and was used in the decoration of scrolls, manuscripts, and the walls of palaces and tombs. In the Middle Ages, orpiment was used in illuminated manuscripts. However, its use declined with the introduction of less toxic and more stable synthetic pigments.

In addition to its use as a pigment, orpiment was used in traditional medicine in several cultures, despite its toxicity. It was believed to have healing properties and was used in various preparations. However, its use in medicine has been discontinued due to the recognition of its toxic effects.

Toxicity and Safety

Orpiment contains arsenic, a toxic element, and handling it can pose health risks if dust is inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin over prolonged periods. Today, handling of orpiment requires precautions, such as wearing gloves and a dust mask, to avoid arsenic poisoning. Its use in art and medicine has largely been discontinued due to these health concerns.

Modern Uses

Today, orpiment is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers. Its use as a pigment or in medicine has been replaced by safer alternatives. However, it remains a subject of study in the fields of mineralogy and materials science, where researchers investigate its properties and potential applications in new technologies.

See Also

• Realgar
• Mineralogy
• Arsenic
• Pigment