Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Blue Pigment

€102,95
€102,95
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Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Blue is a refined, medium-blue natural ultramarine pigment inspired by the luminous blues of Renaissance painting. Made from authentic Afghan lapis lazuli, this pigment is traditionally extracted following the historic methods described by Cennino d’Andrea Cennini, preserving both the purity of the stone and the brilliance of true ultramarine.

Renowned for its balanced tone—vibrant yet soft—this pigment was historically favored by mural and fresco painters. It was used to depict celestial skies, flowing drapery, and sacred figures in large-scale wall paintings. From early Italian frescoes to illuminated religious works, this shade came to represent artistic refinement, devotion, and spiritual clarity. Its natural luminosity allowed painters to achieve an ethereal glow that gave life and depth to their compositions.

Today, De Mairo Fra Angelico Blue continues this lineage, offering artists a pigment that bridges historical tradition with modern performance.


Why Artists Choose This Pigment

  • Made from genuine Afghan lapis lazuli

  • Traditionally refined into true natural ultramarine

  • High pigment strength with exceptional clarity

  • Suitable for watercolor, gouache, oil, and egg tempera

  • Free from dyes, fillers, and synthetic additives


Performance & Handling

  • Finely ground for smooth, even dispersion

  • Does not require additional mulling

  • Excellent lightfastness and long-term stability

  • Predictable, reliable results across painting techniques

This pigment performs beautifully with walnut oil or linseed oil for oil painting, creating a radiant and cohesive paint film. It also disperses effortlessly in gum arabic for watercolor and integrates seamlessly with egg tempera, making it an ideal choice for both contemporary practice and traditional methods.


Historical Context & Artistic Legacy

Fra Angelico Blue traces its origins to the Renaissance, when natural ultramarine made from lapis lazuli was reserved for the most significant and sacred elements of a painting. Valued more highly than gold, it was used selectively to convey spiritual importance and artistic prestige.

The extraction method documented in Il Libro dell’Arte by Cennino d’Andrea Cennini ensured the separation of pure lazurite from the stone, preserving the gemstone’s natural brilliance. De Mairo follows this same philosophy today, refining lapis lazuli from Afghanistan to produce a pigment that honors centuries of craftsmanship while meeting the expectations of modern artists.

Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
  • Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
Genuine Lapis Lazuli Fra Angelico Shade Pigment – Timeless Brilliance for Artists - De Mairo Ltd
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Non-Toxic

No harmful synthetic additives

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100% Mineral Pigment

From mineral sources

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Artist Tested

Used by professional artists worldwide

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Free Returns

If unused — see policy

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EU Import Ready

Clear customs documentation provided

FAQs

1. What is the Fra Angelico Shade of Lapis Lazuli?

The Fra Angelico Shade is the lightest and most delicate grade of genuine Lapis Lazuli. It produces a soft sky-blue tone similar to the ultramarine used by early Renaissance painters such as Fra Angelico. This shade is refined to isolate the palest lazurite particles.

2. Is this pigment made from real Lapis Lazuli?

Yes. This pigment is made from 100% authentic Afghan Lapis Lazuli, sourced from the historic Sar-e-Sang mines. It contains no synthetic ultramarine, dyes, or additives — only natural lazurite.

3. How is the Fra Angelico Shade produced?

This shade is created through careful washing, levigation, and particle separation, allowing only the finest and lightest mineral particles to remain. The process produces a soft, luminous natural ultramarine ideal for subtle glazing and ethereal effects.

4. How does the Fra Angelico Shade differ from other Lapis Lazuli grades?

The Fra Angelico Shade is the lightest, most subtle version of natural ultramarine.

Compared to other shades:

  • It is lighter than the Ultramarine Blue Shade
  • More delicate than the Indigo Shade
  • More ethereal and sky-like than medium grades

    It’s perfect for gentle washes, halos, illumination, and historical-style artworks.

5. Does this pigment granulate in watercolor?

Yes. The Fra Angelico Shade has fine natural granulation, giving atmospheric texture, soft halos, and a mineral glow in watercolor and gouache.

6. What can this pigment be used for?

This pigment is ideal for:

  • watercolor and gouache paint making
  • egg tempera
  • oil paint grinding
  • manuscript illumination
  • restoration and conservation
  • fine art and classical techniques

    Its soft tone makes it perfect for skies, glazes, and devotional artwork.

7. Is the Fra Angelico Shade transparent or opaque?

It is naturally transparent to semi-transparent, making it perfect for layering, glazes, and subtle veils of color.

8. What is the lightfastness rating?

This pigment has excellent lightfastness (ASTM I). Authentic Lapis Lazuli remains stable for centuries, as seen in Renaissance frescoes and medieval illuminated manuscripts.

9. Is this pigment safe and non-toxic?

Yes. Genuine Lapis Lazuli is a natural, non-toxic mineral with no heavy metals or harmful additives. Safe for professional artists and restoration work.

10. Does the pigment contain natural lazurite shimmer?

Yes. The Fra Angelico Shade retains a gentle, soft mineral sheen, more subtle than darker grades but still present due to its lazurite content.

11. What particle size is this pigment?

It is refined to a fine particle size, offering smooth dispersion and delicate granulation suitable for detailed and transparent work.

12. Is this pigment handmade?

Yes. All pigment batches are hand-refined and washed in Canada, ensuring exceptional purity, tone consistency, and historical accuracy.

13. Why do artists choose the Fra Angelico Shade?

Artists choose this shade for its:

  • soft sky-blue purity
  • historical authenticity
  • transparent, luminous quality
  • ability to replicate early Renaissance blue tones
  • suitability for halos, glazes, manuscripts, and devotional artworks
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