President Arthur's call for the regulation of mass production paint led to the formation of new community groups that formed across the nation. The Sisters of the Pigment quickly grew from a small band of eager volunteers to a nationwide movement.
Pictured here are the original founders of the Sisters of the Pigment. Martha (top left) was, perhaps the most famous founding member, having suggested the pigment movement after her husband developed a new red pigment for Ezra Cornell.
Martha wanted to ensure that all pigmentations were pure and invited members of her afternoon watercolor class to form the sisterhood. Later they would march down Main Street demanding that pigments be registered and named by members of the Sisters of the Pigment. Counter groups formed across the country, some calling for artistic freedom in paint colors.<<<<