Terre d'ombre naturelle, verdâtre

Umber can be understood as a deeply complex relative of ochre, defined by the natural replacement of iron oxide with manganese dioxide. This unique mineral chemistry is the secret behind its rich hue: the higher the manganese concentration in the earth, the deeper and darker the resulting color. While umber deposits are mined across Italy, England, and Germany, the most artistically prized and historically valuable varieties have always been sourced from the island of Cyprus.