Mughal painters obtained their colours from natural sources. Which of the following pairs of a colour and its source is correctly matched?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Bright yellow – Orpiment
Option (1) Vermilion – Orpiment — Incorrect. Vermilion came from cinnabar. Orpiment gave bright yellow.
Option (2) Ultramarine – Cinnabar — Incorrect. Ultramarine came from Lapiz Lazuli. Cinnabar gave vermilion.
Option (3) Bright yellow – Orpiment — Correct. Bright yellow was obtained from orpiment.
Option (4) Lampblack – Cinnabar — Incorrect. Lampblack came from charcoal. Cinnabar gave vermilion.
NCERT (2026-27): “Colours and Technique of Mughal Painting …The colours were opaque and were obtained from natural sources by grinding and mixing pigments to obtain perfect shades of colours.” “Colours and Technique of Mughal Painting …Some of the pigments and colours achieved from those were — vermilion from cinnabar, ultramarine from Lapiz Lazuli, bright yellow from orpiment, shells grounded for making white and lampblack from charcoal. Gold and silver powders were mixed with colours or sprinkled to add extravagance to a painting.” |