GREEN EARTH
Our olive-green earth is tinted by the presence of hydrated iron potassium silicate among other elements. Because of its micaceous structure, it cannot be perfectly ground and there are always tiny lumps of pigment, through which light travels and reflects. This way it works alike old paints, when minerals were not crushed by machines. Remarkably exceptional, shows the pale coolness of green earths in a “humble and solemn” hue, as master Contoglou once wrote.
Chemical formula FeS2 + MnO + Al2O3 • 2SiO2 • 2H2Ο
Stability to light 7 (scale 1/8)
Specific weight 2,60
For fresco, tempera, oil, encaustic
