Van Dyke Brown | Matisse Acrylic Paint

Origins and Pioneers

 

Van Dyke Brown, associated with Flemish Baroque artist Sir Anthony van Dyck, owes its initial use to Peter Paul Rubens. As Van Dyck was a pupil and principal assistant to Rubens, it was under Rubens' guidance that the young Van Dyck likely first encountered and employed this distinctive pigment. In its early days, Van Dyke Brown bore different names—Cassel Earth or Cologne Umber—derived from its mining location near Cologne, Germany. Essentially a Raw Umber infused with lignite, or brown coal, this original version held up well over time, yet its variable quality and prone-to-degradation lignite portion led to challenges.

 

Historical Challenges and Adaptations

 

As Van Dyke Brown gained popularity, unscrupulous colourmen worsened its reputation by using bitumen as a substitute for high-grade Cassel Earth. By the 19th century, the pigment fell out of favour due to its perceived unreliability and the changing fashion for paintings featuring extensive dark brown tones. However, the demand for very dark browns persisted among artists.

 

Modern Transformations and Matisse's Contribution

 

Van Dyke Brown underwent adaptations to meet modern needs, particularly due to issues with the original pigment. Substitute versions often blended black with Burnt Umber, making the colour more opaque than Rubens' transparent original. Matisse Van Dyke Brown stands out as it's crafted from a dense form of umber, rendering it distinctly opaque. This opacity enhances covering power, proving useful in various artistic situations. While Matisse offers Van Dyke Brown in an opaque form, artists can still explore transparency with alternatives like Transparent Umber, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber, and Raw Umber Deep.

 

Characteristics and Applications

 

Matisse Van Dyke Brown, with its warm chocolate tone, infuses warmth and opacity into mixed colours. It serves as an ideal base for creating a spectrum of browns. The colour's warmth and opacity make it suitable for shadows, where transparency may be challenging for the eye to focus on. On the other hand, its opacity lends solidity, making it ideal for depicting objects in the light. Van Dyke Brown becomes a versatile tool for artists, offering a beautifully warm and rich addition to their palette.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Van Dyke Brown (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Van Dyke Brown SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
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