sepia

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Sepia

The ink sac of cuttlefish supplies a brown dye called sepia.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer 12401
Chemical description: 78% melanin, 10% calcium carbonate, 7% magnesium carbonate, 2% alkaline sulfates and chlorides and 0.8% miscellaneous compounds.
Color: brown
Color Index: NBr 9
More info: Kremer PDF
It was used in the 18th century as a brown pigment in ink painting, illustration and calligraphy.

Sepia is a warm brown pigment with a remarkably long and evocative history, closely tied to both natural materials and the evolution of artistic media. Its name comes from the Greek sēpía, meaning “cuttlefish,” referring to the marine mollusk from which the pigment was originally derived. The ink sac of species such as Sepia officinalis provided a dense, durable dye that ancient cultures quickly recognized for its writing and drawing qualities. The pigment was used in Classical antiquity by the Greeks and Romans, who valued its permanence and pleasant tonality for manuscript writing and preparatory sketches.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, sepia maintained its role as a dependable ink. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and later the Venetian masters employed sepia washes for rapid studies and controlled tonal drawings. The pigment’s ability to produce a wide range of intensities—from delicate golden-brown glazes to deep, velvety shadows—made it ideal for disegno, the practice of developing compositions through drawing. Its organic nature also lent works a characteristic warmth, often associated with intimacy and subtlety.

Sepia gained renewed popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly among watercolorists who appreciated its transparency and harmonious blending. It became iconic in early photography as well: the “sepia tone” effect, originally produced by chemical toning, enhanced archival stability while giving images their familiar brownish hue.

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