Siena Earth

Ultramarine was the Renaissance's most precious pigment—more expensive than gold. This deep celestial blue was ground from Afghan lapis lazuli, traveling the Silk Road to Italy. Renaissance painters reserved ultramarine for the Virgin Mary's robes—symbolizing heaven and purity. Michelangelo couldn't afford it and left "The Entombment" unfinished. Contracts had "ultramarine clauses"—clients paid separately for the pigment. Only after 1828, when synthetic ultramarine was invented, did this "blue of heaven" become accessible.

Venetian Red was the signature color of the Venetian school. Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese used this warm red in countless masterpieces. Titian's reds were so famous they were called "Titian Red"—his women always had red hair and red dresses. Venice itself is a red city—Gothic palazzo ochre-red walls reflect warm tones in canal waters.