What is Common Between Silver Jewelry and Renaissance Painting?

The answer is Lapis Lazuli. Lapis lazuli is a deep blue semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color.

At the end of the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli began to be exported to Europe, where it was ground into powder and made into ultramarine, the finest and most expensive of all medium blue pigments.

It was used by the most important artists of the Renaissance and Baroque, including Masaccio, Perugino, and Sandro Botticelli (picture included) and was often reserved for the clothing of the central figure of the painting, especially the Virgin Mary.

Today Lapis is used in high end silver jewelry. Our Lapis collection is available at the store or online www.lacelet.net

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