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Asphaltum
#2B0606 · click to copy
Earth
HEX
#2B0606
RGB
43, 6, 6
CMYK
0%, 86%, 86%, 83%
Pigment
NBr9 (bitumen)
Lightfastness
Very Poor — bitumen never fully dries; remains permanently tacky and causes catastrophic cracking
Moods & Keywords
transparent
historical
dark
warm
earth
Pigment & Material
NBr9 (bitumen)
Natural
Bitumen — natural asphalt. Transparent, rich dark brown. NEVER dries completely in oil — continues to move, wrinkle, and crack indefinitely. Has destroyed numerous important paintings.
Origin & History
Asphaltum has been used since antiquity — ancient Egyptian mummification used bitumen, Roman roads were sealed with it, and artists discovered its warm, transparent brown quality early. Its appeal is obvious: deeply warm, infinitely variable in transparency, and initially beautiful. Its catastrophic long-term behaviour was not understood for centuries.
Also Known As
Bitumen
Asphalt Brown
Mummy Brown (confused)
Syrian Asphalt
Judean Pitch
Psychology
Beautiful disaster. Asphaltum is the colour of temptation in pigment form — so beautiful in initial application that painters used it despite knowing its problems. Turner reportedly said he knew asphaltum would cause his paintings to crack but couldn't resist its quality. It represents the artist's sometimes reckless prioritisation of immediate aesthetic effect over long-term consequences.
In Culture
The widespread use of asphaltum and bituminous pigments in 18th–19th century European painting created a conservation crisis that persists today. Reynolds's portraits, Constable's landscapes, and many Victorian paintings show severe "asphaltum disease" — catastrophic cracking that cannot be reversed. This legacy has made permanence testing a standard requirement in modern artist materials and accelerated the development of synthetic alternatives.
Natural Sources
Natural bitumen — a naturally occurring petroleum product found as surface deposits in the Dead Sea region (historically), Trinidad Lake Asphalt, and the Athabasca oil sands. Also obtained by distilling coal tar. The Dead Sea (historically called "Lake Asphaltites") was a major ancient source.
Making It Yourself
STRONGLY NOT RECOMMENDED for oil painting — bitumen never dries completely and will eventually cause catastrophic deterioration.
For experimental/historical work: dissolve asphaltum in turpentine — produces a warm, transparent brown glaze.
Any painting containing significant bitumen will eventually develop severe cracking (known as "asphaltum disease").
Modern substitute: mix burnt umber with small amount of Prussian blue for a similar dark, warm brown without permanence problems.
For experimental/historical work: dissolve asphaltum in turpentine — produces a warm, transparent brown glaze.
Any painting containing significant bitumen will eventually develop severe cracking (known as "asphaltum disease").
Modern substitute: mix burnt umber with small amount of Prussian blue for a similar dark, warm brown without permanence problems.
Art Movements
Baroque
Dutch Golden Age
Academic Painting (19th century)
Famous Works
Believed to have been used by Rembrandt
some of his paintings show characteristic bitumen cracking
Sir Joshua Reynolds
many portraits show severe bitumen cracking
J.M.W. Turner
used in some works despite knowing the risks
Available As
Winsor & Newton — Asphaltum (bitumen/NBr9)
Daniel Smith — Asphaltum (NBr9)
Note: sold with strong warnings about permanence; use only in protected works or for experimental purposes
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Colour data compiled with AI. Spot an error or have more to add? Leave a Note — ekphra reviews and updates.
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