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Pigments & Gums since the 13th century

The use of some of the earliest pigments continues to the present day despite the ongoing development of new colours. The earliest methods combined pigment with waxes or gums, these were largely replaced with egg tempera during the 13th century by Italian painters. Egg tempera produced work with a new subtlety as seen extensively in European church decoration.

  1. A collection of natural gums and resins.
  2. Indian Yellow - Indian puree earth, upon which cows fed on mango leaves have urinated. Ceased to be used in 1921.
  3. Blue Verditer - Bremen Blue was used during the 18th and 19th centuries, eventually superseded by Ultramarine.
  4. Cologne Earth - A natural earth from Germany which was in common use in the 1600's. Similar to Vandyke Brown.
    

 

From Sienese painting onwards (1290), the artist’s studio system became established. A master painter employed apprentices, training each for many years. The apprentices refined, mixed and ground fresh colour for the Master on a daily basis for the painting in progress.

As world trade increased so did the raw materials for pigment manufacture, in addition gums and resins from around the world also became available to
European painters.

  1. Terre Verte - A natural green earth used extensively in tempera painting from the 14th century.
  2. Gamboge - A naturally occuring tree resin collected in Cambodia. First imported to Europe around 1615. Extract of Gamboge (yellow pigment) produced from the Gamboge resin.
  3. Mummy -  A pigment made from Egyptian mummies, prevalent in the late 19th century. Ceased to be used when artists realised it's source!
  4. Prusssian Blue - A deep, strong blue. The first synthetic pigment of the modern era, introduced in 1704.
  5. Lapis Lazuli - A semi-precious stone from Afghanistan from which Genuine ultramarine is extracted.