The library of rare colors
The Forbes Pigment Collection at the Harvard Art Museums is a collection of pigments, binders, and other art materials for researchers to use as standards: so they can tell originals from restorations from forgeries. It’s not open to the public, because it’s a working research library — and because some of the pigments in there are rare, historic, or really shouldn’t be handled by anyone untrained.
More about the Forbes Pigment Collection: https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/article/a-short-history-of-a-pigment-collection-and-art-conservation-in-the-united-states
The Harvard Art Museums: https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/
Edited by Michelle Martin https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheCrux
Audio mix by Graham Haerther https://haerther.net/
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Comments
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@TomScottGo
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
I realised, after filming this, that it feels a little weird to have my introduction outside the Museum and the interview inside. But I'm weeks out of Boston now, so it has to stand!
@sydhenderson6753
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
I'm a bit surprised to see Ultramarine Red and Ultramarine Pink since all I knew about was Ultramarine Blue (or just Ultramarine). Since Ultramarine means overseas, it makes sense there would be other colors.
@mylindacasbarro777
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
I truly love all different colors it is absolutely mesmerizing to put together colors you would never imagine. 🙏♥️
@maksiksq
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
0:46 people are gonna discover this comment in years so hard hmm…
@zyxw2000
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Fascinating! Sorry Tom no longer makes videos, but I'm rewatching some of his old ones.
@MoviesAndHeists
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
I looked at the color that will kill me
And then I died
10/10 exceptional color
@douro20
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Ultramarine blue and tyrian purple, two of the most expensive pigments ever produced.
@segaoutlaw
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Come back!
@Hatecrewdethrol
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
3:20 Ultramarine Red?
The Codex Astartes DOES support this action!
@Noneofyourbusiness.-iw6zb
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
The Poison! Handwritten. Cool af
@NickKlein-it1ej
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
this man could probably find a glowing green paint from chernobyl.
@deleted-something
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
My passion for colors appreciates this video
@japjotsinghrajbans
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Can we please take a moment to appreciate the pixels that are displaying the colour?
@jaymogrified
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Narayan’s suit is perfection. I know, not remotely the point of the video but it deserved to be noted.
@shellybbt
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
All about money again not color nor art.
@emma_loomis
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
0:18 I'm colorblind and i think about what i like to call "imaginary colors" a lot
@s.mad_42
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Am i the only one who didn't exactly understood what was that for but agreed on everything thing he said
@peepsiee
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
0:58 those 'x's look a little bit familliar, right elon
@user-yo7fx2xn8m
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
👆the same with colours , the shade scales – numbers
@MichaelSchinis
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
A bit late to the party, but shouldn't there be a copy of each color in a light-deprived room, in order to preserve their original color?
@smile--
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Imagine the smell
@heelerjustheeler879
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Awesome video! As a somewhat-newbie pigment nerd, I could listen to this all day! I'd love to visit this museum. I never knew it existed until I saw this video.
@bigbongtheory4222
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
1:36 how tf, Honey aint that color
@vcaesium
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
I'm not even a professional artist but I'd dream of owning such a various collection of pigments just for the aesthetic
@JonahTV
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
"Lead white is toxic in the way lead is toxic." IDK why but that sentence is hilarious to me
@kristine6996
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Feeding cows specific leaves and then collecting their urine and drying it is fascinating. 🐤🐠🌼🍋
@noahgiamei
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Me: runs out of brown, buys more at the art store.
17th Century: "Let me go grind up a mummy! Gotta have that authentic dirt color!"
@___Me_
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Recommended reading: "The secret lives of Colour" – Kassia st. Clair
@kellyluck1626
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Hey, Stuart Semple cameo–well, his colors, anyway.
Also, I totally want some Mummy Brown for my curio cabinet now.
@snafuet
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Fun fact, cadmium yellow is still produced.
@dembro27
January 2, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Dragon blood: Ew!
Dragon blood gum: Mmmm, chewy.
Comments are closed.