Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

Historical Pigments

Mummy Tales

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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

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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

Malachite

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Detail of the largest painting in the series: Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, coming September 1, Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon.  About 10 of the 12 paintings are coming to fruition at this point. As mentioned before this pigment project has been a challenge because of the enormity of the historical period and the scarcity of information … [Read more...] about Malachite

Things That Go Boom!

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Now, ancient Egyptians did not have or use fireworks, but it is quite interesting that some of the minerals used in pigments since antiquity are what makes the beautiful colors in fireworks displays.  The Chinese first invented gun powder and fireworks circa 900 AD, and their culture retains a legendary fascination with things that go … [Read more...] about Things That Go Boom!

Sneak Peeks from the Pharaohs

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Well, it's time for the big reveal of a few of the initial works completed in the last weeks using  colors from the pharaoh's tombs. As mentioned before this pigment project has been more of a challenge than the Dutch themed one. The most important issue is there are fewer colors and even fewer vibrant ones. This detail below is from … [Read more...] about Sneak Peeks from the Pharaohs

Ready for the Afterlife

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Linen played an important role in mummification and the process was diverse, changing throughout the centuries. After the body and its important parts were prepared, it was wrapped with many layers of linen in varying ways. In the early period each limb, finger, and toe was wrapped individually, coated in resin, and moulded in plaster. During the … [Read more...] about Ready for the Afterlife