Falu red

Falu red or Falun red (/ˈfɑːluː/ FAH-loo; Swedish: falu rödfärg, pronounced [ˈfɑ̂ːlɵ ˈrø̂ː(d)færj]) is a red iron oxide pigment obtained as a byproduct of the Falun copper mine. It is traditionally used as a pigment in flour-based paint [sv] applied to exterior wood surfaces in Sweden, Finland, and Norway.

Falu red
Kiruna Church in Kiruna, Sweden
Color coordinates
Hex triplet	#801818
sRGBB (r, g, b)	(128, 24, 24)
HSV (h, s, v)	(0°, 81%, 50%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)	(28, 75, 12°)
Source	ColorHexa[1]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Falu Rödfärg is a protected trademark, which may only be used for products containing red pigment sourced from the Falun Mine.^[2] Rödfärg (Swedish), rödmylla (Finland Swedish) or punamulta (Finnish) can refer to any flour paint containing either natural red ochre or industrial iron oxide pigments.

History

After centuries of copper mining in Falun, large piles of residual materials were deposited above ground near the mines.

By the 16th century, mineralization of the mine's tailings and slag, added by smelters, began to produce a red-coloured sludge rich in copper, limonite, silicic acid, and zinc. When this sludge was heated for several hours and mixed with linseed oil and rye flour, it was found to create an excellent anti-weathering paint. In the 17th century, Falu red began to be applied to wooden buildings to mimic the red-brick façades commonly used by the upper classes.

In Sweden's urban areas, wooden buildings were often painted with Falu red until the early 19th century, when authorities started opposing its use.

Resurgence

Riverside warehouses in Porvoo Old Town, Finland

Falu red saw a resurgence in popularity in the Swedish countryside during the 19th century, when poorer farmers and crofters began to paint their houses. Falu red is still widely used in the countryside. The Finnish expression "punainen tupa ja perunamaa" ('a red cottage and a potato patch'), referring to idyllic home and life, is a direct allusion to a country house painted in Falu red.

Falu red after being mixed and cooked to a paint

Composition of flour paint

The paint consists of water, rye flour, linseed oil, silicates, iron oxides, copper compounds, and zinc. As Falu red ages the binder deteriorates, leaving the color granules loose, but restoration is easy since simply brushing the surface is sufficient before repainting.^[3]

The actual color may be different depending on the degree to which the oxide is burnt, ranging from almost black to a bright, light red. Different tones of red have been popular at different times.^[4]