gamboge

Gamboge ( ) is a deep-yellow pigment derived from a species of tree that primarily grows in Cambodia. Popular in East Asian watercolor works, it has been used across a number of media dating back to the 8th century. Easy to transport and manipulate into a durable watercolor paint, gamboge is notable for its versatility as a pigment in how it has been used in paintings, printing of books, and garment dyes, including the robes of Buddhist monks. Gamboge is toxic to humans, and is potentially deadly in large doses. Due to its toxicity and poor lightfastness, gamboge is no longer used in paints, though limited use continues in other contexts. Though used in a number of different contexts, gamboge does not react well with lime surfaces, making it unsuitable for frescos and with white lead. Despite its popularity, gamboge has not been extensively identified in works of art from any time period. The few instances where art historians have attempted to identify whether or not the pigment was used in a given work have confirmed its widespread use and its longevity as staple in watercolor painting particularly in eastern art.

== History == Gamboge's first recorded use dates back to the 8th century during which time it appeared in Japanese art. Some historians speculate small shipments of the pigment were able to be distributed in European contexts due to the occasional over-land trade journeys made from Asia to Europe. Gamboge became much more accessible in the 17th century as shipping grew in popularity as a method of transporting goods from Asia to Europe, and it was around this time that its popularity in watercolors grew.