Colours with a Story: The Strange History of Artist Pigments
Introduction
Ever wondered about the origins of the pigments on your palette? Long before today’s vibrant, safe, and ready-to-use paints, artists had to get creative—sometimes in ways that sound downright unbelievable. From crushed mummies to snail slime, the history of pigments reads like a bizarre mix of science experiment, treasure hunt, and cautionary tale. Let’s dive into the strange, colourful stories behind these pigments, the lengths artists went to get them, and the (much safer!) options we enjoy today. Warning: You’ll never look at your paint tubes the same way again.
1. Bizarre and Historical Pigments
Mummy Brown
Made from actual mummies (yes, human remains and sometimes animal ones too!), this warm brown was popular during the Renaissance. Artists loved its rich tone, but sourcing it? Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to ask too many questions. By the 19th century, people decided this was more than a little creepy, and it was phased out. Fun fact: one pigment dealer famously buried his last remaining mummy in protest.
Indian Yellow
This glowing golden yellow was produced by collecting the urine of cows fed exclusively on mango leaves. Imagine that job—following a cow with a bucket and then processing the result. While the colour was stunning, the method was retired after concerns over animal cruelty. Today, you can enjoy mangoes without worrying they’re part of the paint-making process.
Tyrian Purple
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “born to the purple,” it refers to this royal pigment. Extracted from sea snail mucus, it took thousands of snails to produce a single ounce of dye. It was so valuable that Roman emperors made it illegal for anyone else to wear. Basically, Tyrian Purple was the Gucci of ancient colours.
Dragon’s Blood
Sorry, Game of Thrones fans—no dragons were harmed in the making of this pigment. It was actually sourced from the resin of specific trees and produced a vibrant red. But hey, the name alone is worth bonus points.
Scheele’s Green
This stunning green was the height of fashion in Victorian homes… until people started getting sick. Containing arsenic, it was toxic to the touch and could even emit poisonous fumes in damp conditions. Talk about killer décor.
Lapis Lazuli
The Renaissance equivalent of "splurging for the good stuff," this deep blue was made by grinding semi-precious stones. Imported from Afghanistan, it cost so much that artists often reserved it for painting the Virgin Mary’s robes. If you ran out mid-painting? Tough luck—hope Mary didn’t mind patchy coverage.
2. How Artists Sourced and Used These Pigments
Artists didn’t just walk into a paint shop and grab a tube—they sourced pigments from mines, plants, animals, and yes, even the deceased. Imagine trekking into the desert for rare minerals, risking mercury poisoning for Vermilion, or bargaining with spice traders for a few grams of Lapis Lazuli. Art was a dangerous profession—not because of critics, but because of the materials themselves.
3. Why These Pigments Are No Longer Used
Health Risks: Handling mercury, lead, and arsenic wasn’t exactly a recipe for a long and happy life.
Ethical Concerns: Mummy Brown raised a few eyebrows once people realised it wasn’t just a catchy name.
Rarity: Some materials, like lapis lazuli and snail mucus, were just too expensive and impractical.
Modern Alternatives: Chemists eventually figured out how to replicate these colours synthetically, minus the ethical dilemmas and deadly side effects.
4. Modern, Safer Alternatives
Thankfully, we live in a world where art doesn’t involve dangerous chemicals or morally questionable sourcing. Today, we have:
Burnt Umber: A safe alternative to Mummy Brown, no tomb raiding required.
Hansa Yellow: A modern replacement for Indian Yellow, mango-free and cruelty-free.
Synthetic Ultramarine: All the beauty of Lapis Lazuli without breaking the bank.
Phthalo Green: A vibrant, non-toxic alternative to Scheele’s Green.
5. Fun Facts to Intrigue Your Palette
Bone Black is still made from charred animal bones—but hey, at least it’s not from mummies anymore!
The ancient Egyptians were the first to create a synthetic pigment: Egyptian Blue. It’s been found on 5,000-year-old tomb walls and still looks fresh today.
Artists believed Mummy Brown would bring “eternity” to their work. Ironically, it didn’t last in the marketplace.
Sepia, a rich brown wash, was made from the ink sacs of cuttlefish. It’s still used today for its moody, vintage vibe.
Vermilion was used for centuries despite containing mercury because, well, what’s a little poisoning in the name of art?
Coeruleum Blue was made from cobalt and was so expensive it was sometimes rationed. “Sorry, mate, one brushstroke only!”
A pigment called Caput Mortuum translates to “dead head” in Latin and was used as a morbidly named violet-brown hue.
Prussian Blue was accidentally discovered in the early 1700s by a chemist who was trying to make a red pigment. Sometimes mistakes are masterpieces!
Mars Black is one of the first synthetic blacks, replacing soot-based pigments. Its name gives it an otherworldly flair, but sadly, it’s not from Mars.
Carmine Red was made from crushed cochineal insects. To this day, cochineal is still used in some food dyes, so check your ingredient labels!
Conclusion
The history of pigments is a colourful tale of innovation, resourcefulness, and the occasional ethical or safety misstep. Today, we’re lucky to have a rainbow of safe, affordable options at our fingertips—but let’s not forget the weird and wonderful roots of our art supplies. The next time you’re squeezing out paint, take a moment to appreciate the stories behind the colours.
Until next time, keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨
