In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat podcast, Kerri Dixon explores the fascinating history of color, focusing on three significant ancient pigments: Ultramarine Blue, Vermilion Red, and Ochre. She discusses their origins, uses, and the meanings they carried through history, as well as the dangers associated with some pigments, like Vermilion. The episode concludes with a strange tale of Mummy Brown, a pigment made from Egyptian mummies, and emphasizes the deep connection between color and human experience.

Takeaways

• Every time you pick up a stick of pastel, you're holding a piece of history.
• Ultramarine was once more expensive than gold.
• Vermilion was associated with power and vitality.
• Ochre is the oldest pigment known to humanity.
• Mummy Brown was made from ground up Egyptian mummies.
• Ultramarine has a red-violet undertone that affects its appearance.
• Vermilion was toxic and dangerous for artists to use.
• Ochre represents a connection to land and ancestry.
• Synthetic versions of pigments have made them safer and more accessible.
• Every color carries centuries of history and symbolism.

Chapters

00:00 The Secret Life of Colour

00:55 Ultramarine Blue: The Precious Pigment

06:51 Vermilion Red: The Colour of Power

09:11 Ochre: The Earthy Connection

11:39 Mummy Brown: The Strange Tale

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