Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Dye
(2,692 words)

1. Introduction

Dyes are soluble materials that, unlike the insoluble, mainly mineral pigments (Painting technique), are suitable for the permanent coloration of textiles. Prior to the development of artificial dyes from derivatives of tar in the late 19th century, only natural, mostly vegetable dyes were known in Europe. Although dyeing was of no real relevance to the basic functions of apparel - protection from moisture and cold - the symbolic and aesthetic role of color w…

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Engel, Alexander and Troßbach, Werner, “Dye”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_019137>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20170626



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