In literature, the term “citron” has been used as a distinctive color descriptor—often evoking a warm, lemon-yellow hue. In one example, authors juxtapose “citron, green, and blue” [1] to create a vividly surreal palette in a poetic landscape, underscoring the color’s capacity to inspire both brightness and mystery. Meanwhile, in the realm of decorative arts, “citron” appears as an elegant choice for book bindings, as seen when volumes are noted to be “bound … in … citron” [2], lending a refined, luminous quality to the objects. The hue also emerges in critical artistic descriptions, with phrases such as “citron-yellow” used to intensify visual imagery in scenes of chaotic yet vibrant color [3][4]. Later literary commentary continues this tradition, with “citron-color” specifically cited as clear and beautiful [5] or described as “citron-yellow” in nuanced detail [6], further highlighting the enduring appeal and versatility of the color in written expression.
- Now the roof-tree of the midnight spreading Buds in citron, green, and blue: From afar its mystic odors shedding, Child, on you.
— from Imaginations and Reveries by George William Russell
- The books belonging to Madame Victoire were bound in olive, those of Madame Adelaide in red, and those of Madame Sophie in citron.
— from The Book: Its History and Development by Cyril Davenport
- Yet what an unrefreshing chaos of blue, red, saffron, and citron-yellow is that “Sea-fight at Lepanto”!
— from The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)
Revised edition continued by the author to the end of the XIX century by Richard Muther
- Thus, the Amanita formosa of Persoon has pedicel, pileus, and warts of the pileus, of a citron yellow.
— from Everyday Objects; Or, Picturesque Aspects of Natural History. by W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport) Adams
- I have not seen it, but it is described as a very clear and beautiful citron-color.
— from Pottery and Porcelain, from early times down to the Philadelphia exhibition of 1876 by Charles Wyllys Elliott
- It is of a uniform yellowish white colour, sometimes citron-yellow above and white below.
— from The Ocean World: Being a Description of the Sea and Its Living Inhabitants. by Louis Figuier