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Art history holds many surprising stories, but few are as unusual as the tale of Mummy Brown, a pigment made from ground Egyptian mummies. This pigment was used by artists for centuries, even into the twentieth century. Its story reveals much about the materials artists used, the cultural attitudes of their times, and the strange intersections between art and history.
What Is Mummy Brown?
Mummy Brown is a deep brown pigment that was literally made by grinding up the remains of Egyptian mummies. The pigment combined the ground mummy material with other substances like myrrh and bitumen to create a rich, warm brown color. It was prized for its transparency and durability, making it popular among painters for glazing and mixing.
The pigment first appeared in Europe in the 16th century and remained in use until the early 1900s. Despite its morbid origin, it was considered a high-quality color and was sold by reputable art suppliers.
Why Did Artists Use Mummy Brown?
Artists chose Mummy Brown for several reasons:
Unique color quality: The pigment had a distinctive warm tone that was hard to replicate with other browns.
Durability: Paintings made with Mummy Brown retained their color well over time.
Availability: At the time, many pigments were rare or expensive. Mummy Brown was relatively accessible.
The use of this pigment reflects the practical mindset of artists who prioritized the qualities of their materials over the source. The fact that the pigment came from human remains did not deter many painters.
Famous Artists Who Used Mummy Brown
Several well-known artists are believed to have used Mummy Brown in their work. While direct evidence is scarce, art historians have identified the pigment in paintings by:
Eugène Delacroix: The French Romantic painter reportedly used Mummy Brown for its rich, earthy tones.
J.M.W. Turner: The British landscape artist’s palettes included Mummy Brown, contributing to the warm hues in his skies and earth.
Edward Burne-Jones: The Pre-Raphaelite artist favored the pigment for its transparency in layering.
These artists valued Mummy Brown for its artistic properties, unaware or unconcerned about its macabre origins.
The Ethical Shift and Decline of Mummy Brown
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attitudes toward the use of human remains in art materials began to change. The rise of archaeology and increased respect for ancient cultures made the use of mummies controversial.
Additionally, synthetic pigments became more common and affordable, offering safer and more ethical alternatives. As a result, Mummy Brown gradually disappeared from artists’ palettes.
Myths and Stories Around Mummy Brown
The pigment’s unusual origin sparked many myths and stories:
Some believed that paintings made with Mummy Brown contained the spirits of the mummies.
Others thought the pigment had magical or healing properties.
There were rumors that artists who used Mummy Brown were cursed or inspired by the ancient past.
While these tales are mostly folklore, they add to the mystique surrounding the pigment.
The Connection to Other Artistic Oddities
Mummy Brown is just one example of strange materials and habits in art history. For instance:
Picasso’s Unknown Habits: Picasso reportedly reused canvases and painted over old works, sometimes destroying his own art.
Van Gogh’s Biggest Myths: Stories about Van Gogh’s life often mix fact and fiction, including myths about his mental health and artistic process.
Salvador Dalí’s Spoon Habit: Dalí slept holding a spoon to wake himself if he started to fall into deep sleep, a quirky ritual linked to his surreal creativity.
Michelangelo’s Self-Perception: Despite his fame as a painter, Michelangelo considered himself primarily a sculptor.
These examples show how artists’ lives and materials often carry unexpected stories.
Paintings Hidden Under Other Paintings
Another fascinating aspect of art history is the discovery of paintings hidden beneath visible layers. Artists sometimes painted over earlier works to save materials or change ideas. Modern technology like X-rays and infrared imaging reveals these hidden layers, offering insights into artists’ creative processes.
What Mummy Brown Teaches Us Today
The story of Mummy Brown reminds us that art materials have histories that reflect cultural values and scientific knowledge of their times. It challenges us to think about:
How artists choose materials based on availability, quality, and tradition.
The evolving ethics in art and science, especially regarding human remains.
The surprising connections between art, history, and archaeology.
For modern artists and enthusiasts, Mummy Brown is a cautionary tale about the origins of materials and the importance of ethical sourcing.
The history of Mummy Brown offers a unique window into the world of art and culture. It shows how artists worked with what they had, sometimes in ways that seem strange or unsettling today. Understanding this pigment’s story enriches our appreciation of art and the complex history behind every brushstroke. Next time you admire a classic painting, consider the hidden stories not just in the image but in the very colors used to create it.
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