The invention provides a colorant compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent independently from each other a species selected from at least one of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, and an aralkyl group. R3 represents a species selected from at least one of a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, and —COR5, where R5 is any of a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group. R4 represents a species selected from at least one of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, and an aralkyl group. Cy represents an aryl group. Optionally, at least one anionic group may be present in the general formula (1).