INDIAN SUMMER

Admired for its vivid colouring, Indian Yellow pigment was a favourite of JMW Turner. It can be seen above, daubed across the sky in his Approach

to Venice. Although the history of this lemon-toned dye has been hotly contested, rumour has it that, in 18th- century rural India, the urine of Bihari cattle, fed only on poisonous mango leaves and water, possessed a particularly vibrant hue. The pungent excreta was then dried, concentrated and balled, before being sent on to artists in search of the perfect shade.