The History and Significance of Gamboge, a Traditional Yellow Pigment

Gamboge is a yellow pigment that was traditionally obtained from the resin of the Garcinia tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. The resin was collected by making incisions in the bark of the tree, and then it was boiled in water to produce a yellowish-orange liquid. This liquid was then mixed with other substances, such as egg yolks or gum arabic, to create a paint that was used for various artistic purposes.
Gamboge was highly valued for its bright color and durability, and it was widely used in traditional Asian art, particularly in Buddhist painting and decorative arts. It was also used in European art, where it was known as "Indian yellow." However, the use of gamboge has largely been discontinued due to the availability of synthetic alternatives and the decline of the Garcinia tree in many parts of Southeast Asia.

Gamboge is still used in some traditional art forms, such as batik and woodblock printing, but it is now mainly used for cultural and ceremonial purposes rather than for commercial art production. The scarcity of the Garcinia tree and the difficulty of extracting the resin have also made gamboge more expensive and less accessible to artists, which has contributed to its decline in popularity.