Diarylide Yellow FGL, Arylide Yellow FGL
PY97
Alternate Names
Arylide Yellow FGL
Hansa Yellow
Monoazo FGL
Permanent Yellow FGL
Pigment Description
Often described as Hansa Yellow Medium. Somewhat rare in oil paints but more frequently found in watercolor. This is one of many Hansa yellows, and like other hansas the lightfastness may vary from brand to brand even among paints that share the same pigment code (the Hansa that brought this to our attention was PY3- see notes on that pigment for more).
Maimeri ascribes the name Primary Yellow to this bright yellow color. It seems to have decent lightfastness among the better brands, but even then it is only at ASTM II. This color fades a bit in tints.
There is some discrepancy in the opacity of this pigment with some sources describing it as transparent and others as opaque. This article from the coatings world describes it as having "useful opacity".
This pigment may metabolize to a potential carcinogen. This could cause methemoglobinemia, see Monona Rossol's writing for more.
Resources
PY97 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Information about PY97 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors, General information about this class of pigments from Handprint,
Spurgeon, Tad. Living Craft: A Painter's Process. Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA: Zoetrope, 2018. Newer version available here: https://www.thomaskitts.com/page/36804/tad-spurgeons-living-craft,
Rossol, Monona. The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide. New York, NY : Allworth Press, 2001. The book is rather dated, updated information is available from her website.
Stats
Lightfastness
Very Good, depends on manufacturer
Shows some fading in tints (7’s on the BWS). May be advisable to do one’s own testing as it can vary from brand to brand
Transparency
Semi-Opaque, Transparent, may vary in oil paint
The one single-pigment PY97 we found in oils is listed as semi-opaque
Toxicity
Previously though to be Lower Concern, however it may be hazardous than once thought
Data is low, but Monona Rossol’s research notes that it m metabolize to release a cancer-causing compound (an aniline). She also notes that it could cause methemoglobinemia. Please see Rossol’s latest work available via her site for more.
Dry Time
Medium
Less than 5 days
Particle Size
Very Fine
Chemical Name
Monoazo, acetoacetyl FGL
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