Definition

A reddish-brown pigment used in painting, made from a type of earth that contains iron oxide.

Example

The artist used sinopia to create a warm background for the fresco.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of sinopia in art?

Yeah, I think it's that reddish-brown pigment they used a lot.

Exactly! It's often used for preliminary drawings in frescos.

That's so interesting! I love how colors have such rich histories.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sinopia is derived from the Italian word 'sinopia', which refers to a reddish-brown pigment used in painting, named after the ancient city of Sinope in Asia Minor, where the pigment was originally produced. The term itself does not break down into Latin or Greek roots but is directly linked to the geographical origin of the pigment.

Memory Tip

Think of the city of Sinope, where this reddish-brown pigment was first made, to remember that 'sinopia' refers to that specific color used in art.

Visually Confused Words