Definition of the word viridian

The color viridian, often described as a rich, dark green, was first named by the British painter John Constable in the mid-19th century. In the late 1700s, a new green pigment called "Prussian Blue" was invented by a German chemist, Josef Niepce de Saint-Victor. This pigment was widely used by artists in place of traditional greens, as it was brighter and more consistent in color. However, as artists began to realize the limitations of Prussian Blue, they called for a more natural, muted green color for depicting foliage and landscape. Constable, a prominent member of the Royal Academy, proposed a new color that blended Prussian Blue with other greens and browns to create a more realistic shade. Constable named this new color "viridian," derived from the Latin word "viridis," meaning green. The introduction of viridian in the 1840s led to its widespread adoption by artists and its recognition by the paint industry. Viridian has since become a standard color in artists' palettes and is used in many industries, including print and digital media, architecture, and manufacturing. Its distinct hue and richness help to create visual depth and realism in various applications, demonstrating the enduring importance of this color, named by Constable all those years ago.