Description
Dioxazine Purple, also known as Carbazole Violet, holds a special place in the history of acrylic paints, being one of the earliest deep violets available. Its intensely rich, almost black mass tone and vibrant undertones have made it a consistent favourite among artists. While chemically related to pyrrole pigments, its significance extends far beyond the art world—manufactured in vast quantities, it finds widespread use in industrial applications such as textiles, printing inks, and automotive coatings. In high concentrations, it takes on an inky blackness, often sold as Indian ink, especially in lower-cost varieties.
Historically, artists had no single violet pigment to rely on, forcing them to mix colours to achieve purple hues. However, with the rise of Impressionism in the late 19th Century, violet gained newfound importance, especially in the nuanced depiction of shadows. Impressionist painters such as Georges Seurat were so enamoured by the colour that they were accused of suffering from “Violettomania” by critics of the era. The initial surge of enthusiasm for this new pigment has ensured dioxazine remains the benchmark for purples, offering versatility across the spectrum—from cool ultramarine-leaning violets to warm magenta-infused tones. Whether deepened, muted, or softened, it is an essential tool for any palette, capable of producing every shade of violet imaginable.
