Chapter 1
The colors of power and empire
Chapter 2
The deadly shades of home decor
Chapter 3
Pigments from bizarre and taboo sources
Chapter 4
The modern battles for exclusive colors
YOUR GOAL
Master of The forbidden history of colors
Ch 3 · Pigments from bizarre and taboo sources
choko Mummy Brown
They painted with the Pharaohs for a rich and earthy tone, Grinding ancient history right down into the bone.
choko A luminous yellow pigment from Monghyr, India, was banned after investigators discovered it came from dehydrated cows fed only mango leaves.
BETA
choko Spin the color wheel to discover why some of history's brightest pigments were deadly.
Fun Fact
Indian Yellow: Outlawed in 1908 due to animal cruelty, this vibrant pigment was harvested from the urine of cows fed only mango leaves, which left them severely malnourished.
Glossary
dragon's blood (noun)
A vivid red pigment harvested from the thick, crimson resin of the Dracaena cinnabari tree. When cut, this bizarre plant appears to bleed. It's like painting with a dragon's 'blood'.
A vivid red pigment harvested from the thick, crimson resin of the Dracaena cinnabari tree. When cut, this bizarre plant appears to bleed. It's like painting with a dragon's 'blood'.
Quiz
What is the actual botanical source of the ancient red pigment known as 'dragon's blood'?
choko Ancient Romans and medieval alchemists prized a deep red pigment believed to be the literal blood of dragons.
Fun Fact
Mummy retirement: Artist Edward Burne-Jones was so horrified to learn his paint contained human remains that he gave his tube a formal burial.
Glossary
mummy brown (noun)
A rich brown pigment historically prepared from the ground remains of mummified human bodies. London color maker C. Roberson discontinued the pigment in 1964 after exhausting its supply of mummified remains.
A rich brown pigment historically prepared from the ground remains of mummified human bodies. London color maker C. Roberson discontinued the pigment in 1964 after exhausting its supply of mummified remains.
Quiz
In what year was the production of Indian yellow outlawed due to animal cruelty concerns?
Quiz
Which island group is famous for the native Dracaena trees that produce dragon's blood resin?
Quiz
In which decade did paint manufacturers finally stop producing mummy brown because they ran out of materials?