Traditional lore about the use of natural pigments of mineral, plant and animal origin in the household is presented. The exhibition is founded on research work carried out in the Dubrovnik region, taking in Pelješac, Dubrovačko primorje and Konavle during 2015 and 2016.
It presents plant material from which given dyes are obtained, such as tree barks, leaves and roots... and the same material crushed and prepared for the procedure of making dyestuffs, and then prepared solutions of plant extracts and the crystals obtained when such solutions are evaporated, and finally, the dyed materials.
Two kinds of stone from the Malostonski Bay are also exhibited, žestac and bjelika by name, from which lime is obtained, combined with the pigments used to colour the lime. In addition, visitors can find out which is the most frequently used pigment in any given source, the characteristics of the colour obtained, and read recipes for obtaining different dyes and lots more.
The exhibition is meant for all age groups, and because of the interactive elements will particularly please our younger visitors.
Exhibition created by Katarina Ivanišin-Kardum and Marija Crnčević
Dubrovnik exhibition curated by Barbara Margaretić