Pharaoh’s Offerings Sold 12x12 Oil on Linen © Margret E. Short 2009 Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon September & October 2009 The ancient Egyptians loved their gardens passionately. To return after death and rest in the shade and eat the fruit from the trees … [Read more...] about Pharaoh’s Offering
Pigments: Historical and Modern
There is a distinct difference between modern day pigments and the natural pigments used prior to the middle of the 1700s. In the past, artists had apprentices who ground the colors for them throughout the oil painting sessions. Because they were made by hand, the pigments retained a natural grittiness and consistency with larger particle size. Today's oil paint manufacturers make synthetic colors in huge vats where the end result is exceptional smoothness. Prior to the middle of the 1700, natural pigments came from dirt, minerals, and even plants.
Azurite Splendors
I took this photo of spectacular paintings on the ceilings at Dendera Temple. There are traces of a blue green pigment that is possibly azurite. Not much color could be seen on vertical structures presumably because of wear and flaking over the centuries. However many ceilings had color remaining. The intricacies of the design here are … [Read more...] about Azurite Splendors
Khepri’s Journey
Khepri’s Journey Sold 14x14 Oil on Linen © Margret E. Short 2009, OPA, AWA Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon September & October 2009 As said before, when delving into a colorful history of any culture, you never know what will be unearthed. I just couldn't resist using the motif of the stunning … [Read more...] about Khepri’s Journey
Arsenic in the Stew
Orpiment, shown above in its natural form and also pigment form, was widely used in Egypt during and after the 18th dynasty, about 1500 BC. During this period the very progressive and successful female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, was in power. It is thought that she initiated trade with other countries and the use … [Read more...] about Arsenic in the Stew
Mummy Tales
Last week, a follower of this blog, Christine Debrosky, wrote and asked if I had ever read anything about a pigment called, mummy yellow, or mummy brown. Well, I have, and this is probably the most bizarre and creepy pigment story yet. In her book, Colors, Anne Verichon says that in ancient Egypt mummy yellow was sacred because it was made from … [Read more...] about Mummy Tales
Offerings from the Pharaoh
Figs from the Pharaoh (detail) Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb 10x11 Oil on Linen © 2009 Margret E. Short The ancient Egyptians loved their gardens passionately. To return after death and rest in the shade and eat the fruit from the trees they had planted was a common prayer. Historians have found "offering lists" along with food in … [Read more...] about Offerings from the Pharaoh