I admit the title is confusing, but while paints in different colors have been around for millenia, as indicated by all the different artworks from centuries past, I was wondering about paint for the masses. Namely painting buildings, fences, signs, structures etc.

For example, barns were painted red in the USA long ago because that was what was readily available to the farmers who needed to paint these massive structures a protective coat. Even a century ago, there was a limited range of common household colors for sale. What was available and in common use in the old days, meaning the 19th Century and before?

(Note: George Washington's mansion, which I toured, was done inside in different shades of green-which in the era was very expensive to obtain.)

White based on chalk/lime was among the most commonly used colors. Black was also used.

Yellow was used and red, both lighter tones than the current "bright" colors" we are used to.

http://www.wesenberg-mecklenburg.de/Stadtsanierung/txt_all/page02.html (18th/19th century)

The second half of the 19th century saw more (and cheaper) colors coming up and being used.

Coloration is often based on local customs and building material. German "Backsteingotik" is Brick and that is "shades of red", classic "wattle and daub" (Fachwerk) is White and either wood or Black.

http://www.umgebindeland.de/de/dnl/merkblaetter_fuer_denkmalpflege_umgebindehaus_zur_farbigkeit_der_fassaden.882.pdf (In german)

Interesting links !

Thanks

Claude