From the Renaissance to Impressionism: The Colorful History of Oil Paint

Local artist Kyle Martin will take us on a colorful journey through the history of oil painting pigments, from the rich earth tones of the Renaissance to the vibrant synthetic hues of the early 20th century. 

We'll explore how artists once made red paint from crushed cochineal insects and how the invention of the paint tube in the 1800s revolutionized art by allowing painters like the Impressionists to leave the studio. Discover how color shaped the way artists saw—and painted—the world around them.