Umber was one of the first pigments used by humans, dark brown pigments were rarely used in Medieval art and was an important part of the palette of Caravaggio.
Umber was one of the first pigments used by humans; it is found along with carbon black, red and yellow ocher in cave paintings from the Neolithic period. Dark brown pigments were rarely used in Medieval art; artists of that period preferred bright, distinct colors such as red, blue and green. It was an important part of the palette of Caravaggio (15711610) and Rembrandt (16061669). 
