The Strange and True History of the Paint Color "Mummy Brown"

In the annals of art history, few pigments have a backstory as macabre—and as oddly compelling—as Mummy Brown. This rich, earthy brown paint, favored by European artists in the 18th and 19th centuries, was not merely named for its resemblance to the color of ancient mummified remains. It was, quite literally, made from them.

Origins of Mummy Brown

Mummy Brown emerged in the art world during the 16th century, when European interest in ancient Egypt surged. Traders and apothecaries in Europe imported Egyptian mummies, which were ground up for a variety of uses. At the time, mummified remains were believed to have medicinal properties and were sold in powdered form as a cure-all known as "mumia." From this strange beginning, the pigment known as Mummy Brown was born.

The pigment was made by grinding the flesh, bones, and wrappings of Egyptian mummies into a fine powder and mixing it with oils or resins. The result was a smooth, semi-transparent brown that was ideal for glazes, shadows, and flesh tones in oil painting.

Popularity Among Artists

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Mummy Brown gained popularity among European artists. It was prized for its unique tonal qualities and ease of use. Artists such as Eugène Delacroix and Edward Burne-Jones were known to use it, though many were unaware of the exact nature of its composition.

According to some accounts, when artists discovered the true source of the pigment—human remains—they were shocked and horrified. Burne-Jones, in particular, is said to have held a ceremonial burial for his remaining tubes of Mummy Brown once he learned the truth.

Decline and Discontinuation

By the early 20th century, the use of Mummy Brown declined sharply, driven by a mix of ethical concerns, dwindling supplies of mummified bodies, and the development of synthetic pigments. Paint manufacturers gradually phased out the pigment as artists began to favor alternatives like burnt umber or synthetic browns that did not involve desecrating ancient corpses.

One of the last producers of true Mummy Brown, a London-based color maker named C. Roberson & Co., reportedly stopped offering it in the 1960s, stating that their supply of mummies had finally run out.

Legacy and Modern Use

Today, Mummy Brown lives on mostly as a historical curiosity and a footnote in the evolution of pigment technology. Modern versions of the color exist under the same name, but they are made from mineral or synthetic sources—no mummies involved.

Still, the story of Mummy Brown serves as a stark reminder of how art and science have intersected with colonialism, medicine, and morality over the centuries. It’s a vivid example of how even the colors on a canvas can carry stories from the distant—and sometimes disturbing—past.