EgyptSearch Forums: Egyptian pigments and chemical composition

This is topic Egyptian pigments and chemical composition in forum Egyptology at EgyptSearch Forums.

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Posted by Doug M (Member # 7650) on :

A decent article on the nature of ancient Egyptian pigments used in painting:

http://www.therafoundation.org/articles/art/polychromaticwallpaintingdecorationinmonumentsofpharaonicegyptcompositionschronologyandpaintingtechniques

Posted by Underpants Man (Member # 3735) on :

Quite a wordy and technical article!

I notice that while they mention yellow and red pigment in great detail, they barely discuss brown pigment as seen in some wall paintings or sculptures.

Posted by Underpants Man (Member # 3735) on :

I wonder, though, why did you decide to bring up the chemical composition of Egyptian pigments?

Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :

^Perhaps as a means of explaining how the colors used for Egyptian painting were very limited and that most colors we see in art work like 'brown' are the result of mixtures between different pigments.

I also think showing the chemical composition would also give insight onto how easy it is for these paints to wither and decay when exposed to the elements or to the flash of photography. These withered or lightened looks may differ alot from the original intended complexions.

Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002046F/artwork.htm

Color Chart

Color : Material Made From
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Black : Charcoal

White : Powdered Limestone

Red : Ochre

Yellow : Iron Oxide

Blue : Copper

Green : Malachite

Notice that since the colors are so few, Egyptian artists had to mix and blend different ones to get a specific color.

Posted by ARROW99 (Member # 11614) on :

Most of them seem to be a light red corresponding to other med peoples in the region.

Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :

First of all, this thread was in reference to color of paints used in Egyptian art.

Second of all, I don't know what you mean by "light red" since most Egyptians were a dark reddish brown color. So you obviously haven't seen many ancient Egyptian paintings or Egyptians.

Lower Egyptian mural

Upper Egyptian mural

Tut

Soldiers

Family

Modern Egyptian man

Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :

Also if by 'med' you mean Mediterranean, know that the Mediterranean Sea borders Europe and Africa, as well as Western Asia (Levant and Asia Minor)--different regions with different populations...

With Egypt being in Africa. [Roll Eyes]

Arrow, all you have been doing is making simple silly remarks without anything to back up your claims. Such behavior reminds me of old Hore, are you him by any chance? [Big Grin]

Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :

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