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

Azurite Splendors

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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

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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

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        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

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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