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Scheele's Green - Dangerously Beautiful

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Scheele's Green - Dangerously Beautiful

Natalie Nebilak

Green has been a constant in my life since I was a little girl. It’s the color of calm, restorative nature. It’s the color of home. As of late, my dreamscape has been filled with pinks, purples, oranges, and the soft, warm hues of sunsets. But when I learned about Scheele’s Green (and Paris Green), I had to take a journey back into the realm of the verdant, but this green isn’t nearly as calm and refreshing. It’s deadly.

Scheele's Green shines as a striking hue born of innovation and experimentation in the vibrant tapestry of pigment history. Concocted in the late 18th century by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, this green pigment captured the imagination of artists with its luminous brilliance and versatility.

However, beneath its captivating surface lurked a deadly secret. Scheele's Green owed its vibrant color to the presence of copper arsenite. Did you catch that second word? Arsenite (like arsenic) is a compound notorious for its toxicity.

Artists working with Scheele's Green faced an insidious danger. The arsenic content, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin, could lead to a host of debilitating health issues, including nausea, headaches, and even death. Yet, many unwittingly exposed themselves to this silent menace in pursuing artistic excellence.

Beyond the realm of art, Scheele's Green found its way into everyday products, from wallpapers to clothing dyes, permeating households with its vibrant allure and hidden peril. As its popularity soared, so too did concerns over its safety, prompting a reckoning with its toxic legacy.

The dangers of Scheele's Green came to light in the 19th century, as cases of arsenic poisoning among artists and consumers sparked widespread alarm. Scientific inquiry and public awareness led to calls for regulation, ultimately resulting in the gradual phasing out of this hazardous pigment.

Obviously, using arsenic in a pigment was going to cause health issues, just like lead in gasoline did. But hey, we didn’t know that at the time, and can you really be mad at such a lovely color? For now, though, I think we shall admire Scheele’s Green in a less deadly form—like an homage made from seaglass and sterling silver.

Until next time, stay curious, stay safe, and keep discovering the colorful complexities of our world.