Alizarin (Az) lake is a typical example of lake pigments that is widely used in cultural heritages. Previous work focused on the complex formation in solution, theoretical models and crystallized stoichiometric complexes. The real nature of lake pigments, as well as the reason for its degradation, are still controversial. In this work, we prepared the Az lakes from the ancient recipe with non-stoichiometric complexes, i.e., R = 5-200 (R refers to molar ratio of Al 3+ /Az). The influences of the dye concentration, pH and basic reagents on the structures and chromatic properties of bulk Az lakes were studied by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectrum (ATR-FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and CIE 1976 color space.In order to investigate the surface interaction between Az and the alumina inorganic substrate, likely determining in the aging of pigments, Az was deposited on a thin Al 2 O x film prepared by physical vapor deposition method. Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) was employed to characterize the chemical reactivity and degradation of Az-Al 2 O x film complex. Az derivatives interacted with Al 2 O x film like bulk lakes. Al 3+ were coordinated with 1,2-dihydroxyl (catechol) group, instead of 1-hydroxy-9-keto group. Exposure under UV light resulted in degradation of Az-Al 2 O x film complex by oxidizing catechol groups to carbonyl. This study presented a new insight into the structure and degradation of Az lake.