Mummy brown is one of the more macabre pigments to have been used by artists in history. As its name suggests, this rich brown pigment was originally made from actual Egyptian mummies during the 16th to 19th centuries. Let us delve deeper into the intriguing history of this pigment and the indelible mark it left on the world of art.

Historical Significance

Mummy brown is undoubtedly a pigment that reflects the fascinating intersection of art, archaeology, and ethics. To understand its significance, we need to appreciate the context of the Renaissance era when it gained popularity. This period was characterized by a renewed interest in ancient cultures, especially Egypt, driven by the rediscovery of classical texts and the exploration of archaeological sites. As artists sought to depict human subjects with a level of realism never before achieved, Mummy brown offered a unique solution.

Artistic Applications

The unique composition of Mummy brown made it particularly appealing to artists. The resinous matter from mummies gave the pigment a distinct reddish-brown hue that was ideal for rendering flesh tones. When mixed with oils, it allowed for the creation of transparent glazes, enabling painters to add depth, shadows, and lifelike contours to their subjects.

This property was instrumental in the creation of masterpieces by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Titian, and Delacroix. The pigment's ability to dry with a durable, varnish-like finish further contributed to its appeal.

Pigment properties

Mummy brown had a singular composition that made it appealing to artists. The ground-up resin from mummies gave it a rich, warm brown hue unlike standard pigments of the time. When mixed into oil paints, mummy brown had excellent transparent glazing abilities. This allowed painters to build up shadows and depths in faces and portraits with fine detail. The pigment also dried with a durable, varnish-like finish.

Ethical Concerns

However, as we approach the 19th century, the ethical implications of using human remains for art began to outweigh the artistic benefits. The desecration of mummies, which were once considered valuable historical artifacts, became unacceptable. The concept of painting with human remains, once embraced by artists and paint-makers, now sparked outrage. The availability of quality mummies also declined during this time, leading to the gradual disappearance of Mummy brown from artist palettes.

Looking Back From Today

In today's context, Mummy brown serves as a stark reminder of the evolving ethical standards within the art world. It prompts us to reflect on the boundaries of artistic expression and the value placed on preserving historical artifacts. The replacement of Mummy brown with synthetic pigments highlights the art world's adaptability and the ongoing search for more ethical and sustainable materials.

As I am researching further into considerations of the contemporary palette and the choices made my contemporary artists’ in their tools - Mummy brown clearly demonstrates to me the ever evolving commentary that guides the artists' own practice. Whilst this particular pigment has since had legal restriction put in place regarding its sourcing, I wonder what other pigments have fallen out of use just from majority trend alone?

Hope you all enjoyed this post, see you next week x