Lapis first appeared as a “true blue” pigment in the 6th century, gracing Buddhist frescoes in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Around 700 years later, the pigment traveled to Venice and soon became the most sought-after color in medieval Europe. For centuries, the cost of lapis rivaled the price of gold. Given its hefty price tag, the color was reserved for only the most important figures (namely, the Virgin Mary) and the most lucrative commissions (namely, the church).
I’d like to share a very interesting article on (The 6,000-Year History of Blue Pigments in Art) published by Artsy.net https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-a-brief-history-of-blue
