Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Making Colors in Europe, 1400-1800 at the Hood Museum of Art (In-Person)
Winter (4 - 8.5 hours) | Registration opens 11/24/2025 12:00 AM EST
How did the most precious color blue travel all the way from remote lapis mines in Afghanistan to the Italian Perugino’s brush? In his oil and tempera painting on wood panel depicting the Virgin and Child with Saints (about 1500), Mary wears a glorious blue mantle made from lapis blue pigment. What were early modern artist’s recipes for other color pigments and dyes which were often a guarded secret increasing the value of their art?
This course will be a scientific journey into the modern European artist discovery of color pigments; their process of creation from elemental grinding, burning material, and use of the medieval forerunner of chemistry, alchemy. Discussions will focus on artistic sources and processes viewing oil and tempera paintings, gold leaf application, ink drawings, and watercolors on the surface of miniature brooches.
The search for a wide range of pigments expanded European trade routes and commodities around the world. This exhibition examines further the social and political meaning that color has carried through time and culture.
This course will consist of discussions between the Study Leader and participants.
Jeanne Shafer
My first memories as a child were about the COLOR of an object. As an artist working with cloisonne enamels, I have discovered the brilliance color provides to a successful jewelry ornament. I have never stopped to wonder where these pigments come from. Hopefully this exhibition on the making of color pigments will provide answers. I have a Master’s degree in art history from Indiana University with a minor in jewelry, enameling, and silversmithing.Thanks to the Hood for this exhibition.