Couleurs et plantes colorantes dans l’art yoruba Enquête de terrain

Abstract

This paper explores the colored material found on yoruba sculptures (Nigeria/Benin). These pictorial layers are little known in particular their binder, but also on the fact that plant colouring agents can be used, except usual ochre and kaolin. Colors from plants, usually observed in textile dye or in basketwork, were also used in painting. The scientific research and analysis carried out as part of this work supports this point of view. A multidisciplinary team, of chemists and a restorer, leads this study since several years. This paper aims at updating the knowledge and information of this research program.

Keywords

• dyeing
• pigments
• yoruba
• art
• conservation
• analysis