The Grisly Secret of Mummy Brown Paint

In the 18th century, artists painted masterpieces using actual human remains. This pigment was literally manufactured by grinding up Egyptian mummies mixed with resins and myrrh.

Artists favored this color for its rich transparency and ability to create deep shadows in portraits. It was a staple in professional studios until the gruesome source material became common knowledge. When painters realized they were literally working with ancient remains, the pigment quickly lost its appeal. Production finally ceased in the 20th century as the supply of mummies dwindled and ethical concerns rose.