He was correct. That pigment came from oxidized (burnt) clay that was originally mined around Siena, Italy. If you visit the city (highly recommended) you sho

He was correct. That pigment came from oxidized (burnt) clay that was originally mined around Siena, Italy. If you visit the city (highly recommended) you should catch a sunset in the piazza there and watch the rays of the setting sun play across the buildings constructed with bricks from this same clay; you will never wonder about the origin of that color again :)