Venetian blue

or venetian blue

noun

1. a strong blue similar to cobalt blue.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Venetian blue¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

This one will take you to Tintoretto, who drew in soft black chalk or charcoal on Venetian blue paper, a medium that proved quite versatile.

From New York Times

Richard Upton, elected abbot in 1417, gave silk embroidered with falcons for copes; and about the same time John Freston gave a rich robe of Venetian blue embroidered with golden eagles.

From Project Gutenberg

“But grandmamma would think it was no better than this,” she said to herself, and after much searchings of heart she chose a costume of Venetian blue, one soft tint dying into another like the lustre on a piece of old glass, which in her own opinion was a great deal too good for the occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

Royal purple and Venetian blue are mere trade terms.

From Project Gutenberg

The ground rose gradually toward the centre of the island, where columns of basalt loomed like the towers of feudal castles against the pure Venetian blue of the tropical sky.

From Project Gutenberg