The Medieval Palette

The colours featured here are pigments identified in medieval manuscripts in Europe, with particular focus on English manuscripts. It is not a fully comprehensive guide to all pigments used in medieval England – it is a compilation of pigments that have been identified by Raman spectroscopy and multi-spectral imaging. I have only included pigments that I have been able to source or make myself.  All pigments vary depending on the quality of the materials used and the method of preparation, so colours may look different in manuscripts, especially taking into account the ageing process.