Ultramarinewasnotonly a spectacularcolortoincludein a painting, italsogaveanimmediatesenseofexclusivityto a painting, asartists, commissioners, patrons, andcollectorswerewellawareofthecostofthispigment.
A goodexampleofthisisthefamouspaintingofBacchusandAriadnebyTitian, whousedthepigmentfortwocloaksandpartofthesky.
Herethecolorisnotusedtoemphasizeanexclusiveelementinthepainting, butrathertocreate a woweffect, asitclearlystandsoutfromtheothercolorsinthecomposition.
A centurylater, JohannesVermeerchose a differentapproach.
Thankstothesupportof a wealthycollector, Vermeerwasabletousemoreultramarinepaintthanhiscolleagues, buthedidnotjustuseittoshowoffitsshininessorexclusivity.
Vermeerwas a perfectionistand a veryrefinedartist, soheusedtheultramarineinmoresubtleways.