PY41 Naples Yellow (lead antimonate)
Lead antimonate.
4 tubes from 2 of 24 paint lines contain PY41. 4 are made from PY41 alone, which is the closest match when you're switching brands.
- Toxicity
- Toxic: contains lead Lead is toxic and builds up in the body. Don't sand or scrape dry lead paint, wash your hands after painting, and keep it away from children and pets.
- Drying
- Fast
- Opacity
- Single-pigment tubes are mostly opaque.
About PY41
History
Genuine Naples yellow is lead antimonate, used in glass and ceramics in antiquity and in European painting for centuries.
In mixes
Opaque, warm and creamy. It mixes soft, warm light tints.
Genuine or hue?
Genuine Naples yellow is lead antimonate: toxic, opaque and warm. Hues mix white with yellows and earths and are safe to handle.
Drying speed is typical for linseed oil; tubes ground in safflower or poppy oil, or with driers added, will differ. These are general notes on the pigment, not on any one brand.
Purest PY41, by brand
The best single-pigment PY41 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.
- Michael Harding Genuine Naples Yellow LightSeries 6 · LF I · Opaque
- Vasari Naples Yellow Dark GenuineLF not rated · Opaque
Not sold here by: W&N Artists', Holbein, Grumbacher, Williamsburg, M. Graham, Gamblin, Old Holland, Rembrandt, Schmincke Mussini, W&N Winton, Georgian, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Cobra, Art Creation, Lukas 1862, W&N Griffin, Art Spectrum, Langridge, Blockx, Maimeri Puro, W&N Artisan.
Made from PY41 alone
Brands: Michael Harding, Vasari.