From the ground to the paint: Earth as pigment and meaning in the art of Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study, part of the project “The Artist’s Studio: Materials and Techniques of Painting,” investigates the use of mineral pigments extracted in Minas Gerais by four artists from the state: Maria Lira Marques, Manfredo de Souzanetto, Marcos Siqueira, and Ariel Ferreira. The research focuses on analyzing their specific techniques for paint-making and pictorial application, seeking to understand how the materiality of these local elements interacts with their creative processes. The analysis reveals that the use of earth goes beyond the chromatic, constituting a significant gesture of bonding with the territory. Beyond the technical dimension, the work explores the cultural and social meanings embedded in this artistic practice, relating it to the territorial context of Minas Gerais and the individual trajectories of each artist. The results demonstrate that the appropriation of these natural pigments constitutes not only a technical method but also a gesture of cultural re-signification and an affirmation of an identity connected to the land and history of Minas Gerais.