Weathered red barn is a photograph by Elena Nosyreva which was uploaded on February 6th, 2013.
Title
Weathered red barn
Artist
Elena Nosyreva
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Weathered red barn found in Celina, Texas.
If you've ever driven through a rural area, it's likely that you've seen the red barns that speckle the farming landscape.
Ever wonder why old barns are usually red in color? Red was a popular color for barns due not to its color shade but for its usefulness.
Many years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also iron oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color.
When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.
Original photography by Elena Nosyreva, digitally enhanced.
© All Copyrights Reserved by Elena Nosyreva 2013.
Uploaded
February 6th, 2013
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