French blue
Definition
Noun 1. A specific shade of blue pigment: "French blue" refers to an ultramarine blue pigment that is produced synthetically or artificially, rather than being derived from the natural mineral lapis lazuli. It is known for its vivid, deep blue color.
Usage Notes
"French blue" is primarily a technical term used in the fields of art, design, and pigment manufacturing. It specifies not just a color, but a man-made version of a historically significant pigment. In general conversation, it might simply be understood as a descriptive name for a particular blue hue.
Examples
- The artist's palette featured a vibrant French blue next to the traditional cobalt.
- For the restoration, conservators needed to match the original sky using a synthetic French blue pigment.
- The color swatch labeled "French blue" was much more intense than the standard ultramarine.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The term distinguishes the artificial, more affordable, and consistently produced pigment (French blue) from the rare and expensive natural ultramarine. Its development in 19th-century France was a significant advancement in color chemistry.
- In Industry: In textile or product design, "French blue" can sometimes be used more loosely as a color name, but its precise definition relates to the synthetic ultramarine pigment.
Variants and Related Words
- Ultramarine (noun): The broader category of deep blue pigment, which can be either natural (from lapis lazuli) or artificial (French blue).
- Artificial ultramarine (noun phrase): A direct synonym for French blue.
- Synthetic ultramarine (noun phrase): Another synonym emphasizing the man-made production process.
Synonyms
- Artificial ultramarine
- Synthetic ultramarine
Antonyms
- Natural ultramarine: Ultramarine pigment made from ground lapis lazuli.
- Genuine ultramarine: Another term for the natural mineral pigment.
Related Phrases/Compounds
- French ultramarine: A compound term that is essentially synonymous with "French blue," explicitly linking the color to its synthetic form.
Noun
-
ultramarine pigment prepared artificially
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