Ultramarine

Sacred blue ground from Afghan lapis lazuli, more precious than gold

HEX#1E469B

RGBrgb(30, 70, 155)

HSLhsl(221, 68%, 36%)

HSVhsv(221, 81%, 61%)

CMYKcmyk(81%, 55%, 0%, 39%)

HEXA#1E469BFF

RGBArgba(30, 70, 155, 1)

HSLAhsla(221, 68%, 36%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(64.3%, 0.106, 256)

LCHlch(58.5%, 41.5, 265)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

Learn More →

Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#DDE6F8Ratio 7:1AAA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#BDB2F0Ratio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#C47AE6Ratio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#D93A6CRatio 2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

Online Color Picker → Gradient Generator →

Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, stepwise lightness adjustment ±30%

#08132B

#0D1F45

#15326F

#1D459A

#2658C5

#4373DB

#6D93E3

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, stepwise saturation adjustment ±30%

#394F7F

#304C88

#274891

#1D459A

#1442A3

#0B3EAD

#023BB6

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#142039

#16274B

#1C366E

#1E4494

#1F51BD

#215EE4

#3F76EE

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#1D649A

#1D5A9A

#1D4F9A

#1D459A

#1D3B9A

#1D309A

#1D269A

💡 Use Cases

⛪

Icon Painting

The blue robes of the Virgin Mary and Christ in Orthodox iconography; natural Ultramarine is the irreplaceable pigment for conveying sanctity.

🖼️

Classical Restoration

Museum restoration of Renaissance paintings still uses natural Ultramarine to ensure color consistency with the master's original brushwork.

💎

High-End Jewelry

Luxury brand watch dials fired with Ultramarine enamel; micron-level lapis lazuli powder presents an unfathomable deep blue.

📜

Illuminated Manuscripts

Western calligraphers imitating medieval illuminated manuscripts use Ultramarine to paint initial letters, reviving the golden age of handwritten books.

📜 Origin & History

The English name Ultramarine means 'from beyond the sea,' referring to its origin in the lapis lazuli mines of the Badakhshan region of Afghanistan. During the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was transported from Afghanistan via the Silk Road to Venice, then shipped to various parts of Europe, priced equivalent to its weight in gold.

Medieval painters adhered to strict rules for using Ultramarine. Church and noble patrons often specified the amount of Ultramarine in contracts, mandating pure Ultramarine for the Virgin Mary's blue robe. Cennino Cennini, in his 'Il Libro dell'Arte' (The Craftsman's Handbook), detailed the purification process of Ultramarine, calling it 'the most perfect, most excellent blue.'

During the Renaissance, Ultramarine remained the most expensive pigment on the palette. Masters like Jan van Eyck and Raphael often used Ultramarine for the Virgin Mary's outer robe, reserving cheaper azurite for less important areas. The larger the area of blue, the greater the patron's wealth and piety demonstrated.

In the 18th century, chemists sought synthetic alternatives. Finally, in 1826, French chemist Jean-Baptiste Guimet invented synthetic Ultramarine, drastically reducing costs. However, artists still preferred natural Ultramarine for its subtle purplish tone and mineral light refraction, considering it a treasure that couldn't be fully replicated artificially.

Today, Ultramarine remains a heritage guarded by artists and restorers. The Ultramarine in Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' darkened with age; restoration teams use optical instruments to analyze residual pigment, striving to restore its original glory. Ultramarine is the medieval imagination of paradise solidified into color.

🧠 Color Psychology

Sacred and SublimeHistorical memory associated with the Virgin's blue robe elevates the heart with admiration for purity and sanctity, purifying worldly distractions.

Precious and RareIts heritage of being more precious than gold grants it irreplaceable value, invoking a protective heart for cherished things.

Pious FaithThe medieval willingness to spare no expense for Ultramarine inspires steadfastness and dedication to one's ideals and beliefs.

Pursuit of PerfectionThe masters' obsession with Ultramarine represents an uncapped artistic pursuit, encouraging one not to settle for mediocrity.

Deep InclusivityThe subtle purplish undertone of natural Ultramarine contains infinite layers, teaching acceptance of the complex and multifaceted nature of humanity.

Historical ReverenceTouching Ultramarine is like touching a thousand years of art history, naturally fostering respect for civilizational heritage and the ingenuity of predecessors.

← Back to Explore Colors