Maya Blue

Maya Blue denotes a blue tint and a pigment that was used by the Maya for ritualistic purposes. It consists of the palygorskite, that has been dyed with indigo and tied with Copal by heating. It is extremely resistant to weathering and heat, as well as acidic and caustic resistant.

The recipe for making had been forgotten during the 18th and 19th centuries. The dye was rediscovered in 1931 on a wall painting in the temple city of Chichen Itza in Mexico. It was used except for paintings for the decoration of pottery, sculpture and jewelry.

Mexican paintings of Juan Gerson using Maya Blue