A variation of the cadmium red family, cadmium scarlet sits between cadmium orange and cadmium red — the purest, most saturated warm red in the traditional palette. Developed in the early 20th century.

Cadmium scarlet is aggressive and vital — the most eye-catching red, impossible to ignore. It is the red of emergency, of fire engines, of matador capes. On the palette it dominates everything near it.

Matisse used cadmium scarlet extensively — it is responsible for the searing intensity of his red interiors. The restriction of cadmium pigments in Europe has forced a significant reformulation of many artist paint ranges.