Did You Know?
Natural Ultramarine was as valuable as gold during the Renaissance, costing per ounce more than half the annual rent of a good size studio in Florence. Made from crushed semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, it was considered one of the three purest colors beside gold and vermillion and a reflection of God's glory. Because of its high cost it was reserved by artists for the most revered subjects such as the robes of Madonna and Christ.
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