Caput Mortuum

HEX: #592720 | Modern Palette

On White
12.10:1
PASS
On Black
1.74:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#592720
RGB
89, 39, 32
HSL
7°, 64% ,34%
CMYK
0, 56.18, 64.04, 65.1

About Caput Mortuum

Caput Mortuum (#592720) is a color with RGB(89, 39, 32) and HSL(7.37°, 64.04%, 34.9%). In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #205259, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #205927 and #272059. The name comes from Caput Mortuum (Latin).

  • HEX: #592720
  • RGB: 89, 39, 32
  • HSL: 7.37°, 64.04%, 34.9%
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #205259
  • Triadic colors: #205927, #272059
  • The name comes from Caput Mortuum (Latin).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

Color Harmonies

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

Shades & Tints

A seamless scale of #592720 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #3B3B1E
Protanopia #2F2F20
Tritanopia #592626
Achromatopsia #363636

Frequently Asked Questions

Caput Mortuum (#592720) is a color with RGB(89, 39, 32) and HSL(7.37°, 64.04%, 34.9%).

#592720 pairs strongly with #205259 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#592720 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Warm styles.

The name Caput Mortuum is linked to Caput Mortuum from Latin, meaning Dead head, or literally 'dead skull'.

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Caput Mortuum
Meaning Dead head, or literally 'dead skull'
Language Latin
First Recorded Use Medieval Alchemy

History

In alchemy, 'Caput Mortuum' referred to the worthless residue left over after a chemical process, particularly distillation or sublimation. It symbolized the inert, lifeless remains after the 'spirit' or 'essence' had been extracted. It was often a dark, reddish-brown powder. The term also came to be used more broadly to describe anything rendered useless or valueless after a process.

First Recorded Use

Likely 16th century, though the concept existed earlier.

Cultural Associations

Beyond alchemy, 'Caput Mortuum' evolved into a specific pigment color, a deep reddish-brown or purplish-brown, derived from iron oxide. It's known for its permanence and opacity and has been used by artists for centuries. The name itself evokes a sense of decay, finality, and the remnants of something once living or active.

Similar Named Colors
French Puce #4E1609 ΔE 5.29
Liver (organ) #6C2E1F ΔE 5.35
Persian Plum #701C1C ΔE 6.49
Dark Sienna #3C1414 ΔE 7.56

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #592720;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #592720;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #592720;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #592720,
        #208492
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #592720,
        #208492
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$caput-mortuum: #592720;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$caput-mortuum-r: 89;
$caput-mortuum-g: 39;
$caput-mortuum-b: 32;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $caput-mortuum;
    color: rgba($caput-mortuum-r, $caput-mortuum-g, $caput-mortuum-b, 0.8);
}