Today's color is Tyrian Purple. Tyrian Purple..
Today's color is Tyrian Purple. Tyrian Purple comes from a predatory snail. I knew you wanted to start your day with a fun fact about crazy colors, and this one will not leave you hungry (although you may be tempted to order escargots, a crisp sauvignon blanc and some garlicky bread forlunch).
Tyrian purple pigment is a secretion extracted from several species of sea snails in the family Muricidae, originally known by the name Murex. These rock snails are found in the eastern Mediterranean, near Greece. The dye substance is a mucous secretion from the hypobranchial gland-- an offensive weapon to sedate their prey- which turns purple when it oxidates. In ancient times, extracting this dye involved tens of thousands of snails and substantial labor, making it highly valuable. The dye can also be 'milked' from the snails, making it a sustainable resource, but this is very labor intensive.
Tyrian purple was used in the garments of Pliny, Cicero and their ilk (a burial garment is shown below) and on Roman frescoes. In fact, Pliny the Elder published a recipe for extracting the dye from the snails. The pigment was principally used for the garments of the royals or very wealthy statesmen. Since 1909 or so the pigment has been made synthetically under 'mauvine' or other purple-ine dyes. So the snails are safe! Tyrian Purple is Color #36 of #100colorstories #colorlove. Tomorrow's color story will come to you from the #artafricafair2017 in Cape Town, where I will explore some pigments from that area. Until then, xxoo Elaine
