Egyptian Blue: The Colour of Technology: An Analysis

March 11, 2024

This text focuses on analyzing and summarizing a chosen article, primarily identifying and discussing various elements of it. The author’s intent with writing is never apparent. Still, this writing seeks to investigate what such a goal might be, primarily regarding what they wish to convey—as such, looking at what the chosen article effectively does can shed light on its purpose. This purpose is what this paper aims to discover.

The article mentioned is Egyptian Blue: The Colour of Technology by Philip McCouat. In the article, McCouat discusses the historical origins of Egyptian blue, its chemical composition, and use in ancient Egyptian art and technology. The article also explores the historical and current-day significance of the pigment in ancient Egypt and other cultures. Essentially, the selected article explores Egyptian blue's origins, properties, and applications, both current and ancient. Interestingly, the pigment also holds symbolic significance in ancient Egyptian culture, speaking to the influence such a color has, primarily through symbolism.

            Concerning the broad field of non-Western art, the text focuses on how “the ancient Egyptians’ grasp of chemistry was extraordinarily well advanced.”[1] While this does not inherently bring much into the discussion, it does contribute to a more inclusive understanding of art history. It challenges Eurocentric perspectives that often overlook the achievements of non-western civilizations. This challenges the core belief of slavery, as well, as such, is constructed on a view that certain races are lower than others. As such, this pigment speaks to all cultural groups capable of innovative creations. Concerning this particular paper, how much does this see presence within the writing, and what is the most significant element of Egyptian blue?

            McCouat's article makes it clear that this paper continues to argue for the technological marvel of such a substance’s mere existence. Such a pigment must be created artificially, and as such, the very existence of it is purposeful. To quote the article directly, “the Egyptians devoted more effort and skill into making artists’ colours than did any other civilization west of the Nile for several thousand years,” and as such, deserve to be respected as artists rather than be pushed aside due to geographical reasons. As such, this directly opposes the common belief that Western art had a superiority over other areas. In noting such, such an element is clearly significant in answering the previous question, although other elements are not to be overlooked.            

Focusing on the origins and properties of Egyptian blue, the text discusses its chemical composition, technological implications, and symbolic significance in ancient Egyptian culture. Although such a creation was to be used by artists and craftsmen, it was not limited to them, making it versatile in addition to its significance. McCoaut supports this by detailing the pigment’s contents and the process those elements must endure to create it. Not only does this highlight the ingenuity of such a creation, but it also speaks to how vital the substance was to the Egyptians, as they had to create the material manually.

            Additionally, references to archaeological findings and historical texts provide context for the use of such material. Although limited in scope due to a heavy focus on Egyptian blue’s use in ancient Egypt, modern-day uses are a point of contention that are not restricted only to Egypt. The study of Egyptian blue offers a new perspective on the history of art and technology, highlighting the innovation and sophistication of ancient non-western cultures. By examining the production and use of Egyptian blue, scholars can gain insight into the material culture of these civilizations and challenge Eurocentric biases in art history. Additionally, the study of Egyptian blue challenges traditional narratives of art history by highlighting the technological achievements of ancient non-Western cultures.

            Egyptian Blue: The Colour of Technology by Philip McCouat delves into the historical origins, chemical composition, and cultural significance of the pigment Egyptian blue. Through an analysis of McCouat's article, this paper aimed to uncover the author's intent and the broader implications of Egyptian blue in the field of non-Western art history. The article effectively explores Egyptian blue's origins, properties, and applications, shedding light on its technological and symbolic significance in ancient Egyptian culture. One of the most significant aspects of Egyptian blue is its artificial creation, requiring considerable effort and skill. This challenges the notion of Western art superiority and emphasizes the respect owed to ancient non-Western artists and craftsmen.

[1] McCouat, Phillip. EGYPTIAN BLUE: THE COLOUR OF TECHNOLOGY. Journal of Art in Society. https://www.artinsociety.com/egyptian-blue-the-colour-of-technology.html.