PR105 CI#77578
77% of Red Lead in a tube
Toxicity: Toxic
Lightfastness: 8/8 (d
arkens over centuries due to lead sulfide formation)
Drying time: Very fast
Color/ Tone: Warm orange-red
Transparency: Extremely opaque—hides layers beneath it
Red Lead (PR105, Pb₃O₄, Minium) is a vivid orange-red pigment with a history stretching back to antiquity. Made by heating lead white (PbCO₃) in air, it was prized for its opacity, warmth, and chemical utility—but also feared for its toxicity.
History:
In the 4th Century BCE, it was used in Chinese terracotta and Egyptian ceramics. In the Roman Empire, it was applied in frescoes (Pompeii’s walls still bear traces).
Famous Works:
