Naphthoquinone pigments 2-methyl-3-(4- or 2-hydroxyphenylthio)-1,4-naphthalenedione show characteristic optical properties in solution and in the solid state. The position of the OH group in the pigment leads to varied optical properties, including a characteristic colour, in the solid state. The pigment with a 2-OH substituent displays solvatochromism in solution, and that with a 4-OH substituent displays optical chirality in the solid state.