From Switzerland to Australia: The Spirit of Colour Finds a New Home

Lascaux: The Spirit of Colours at Chapman & Bailey

Chapman & Bailey is delighted to announce the arrival of a remarkable new range of Lascaux Acrylic Paints, expanding the selection of their premium water-based acrylics already lining our shelves. Lascaux makes products that embody not just material innovation, but a profound creative philosophy.

Lascaux’s premium acrylic paints—from the artist-grade Lascaux Artist and Studio ranges to the innovative Spirit of Colour line—are more than materials. They are an expression of a belief: that colour is a tool for transformation. These paints are created with the conviction that brands must do more than produce excellent materials—they must lead with values of durability, sustainability, and integrity. These principles are more vital than ever in our shifting cultural and ecological landscape.

A Legacy Rooted in Spirit and Substance

In 1963, surrounded by the rugged mountains, tranquil lakes, and rural beauty of Switzerland, Alois K. Diethelm introduced Europe to its first acrylic paints. But this wasn’t merely a technical innovation—it was a declaration of intent.

The name Lascaux was chosen to honour the Paleolithic cave paintings discovered two decades earlier in France, dating back over 26,000 years—a discovery that revealed the enduring and profound relationship between image, colour, and the human spirit.
It’s a relationship that has guided Lascaux’s mission for over 60 years.

Today, Lascaux’s visionary director, Barbara Diethelm, and her family—still the core manufacturers at Lascaux—continue that legacy. Barbara carries forward the torch lit by her father, infusing it with a contemporary sensibility rooted in both artistic and environmental consciousness.

“The power of colours reminds us that we can create our reality.” — Barbara Diethelm

A Material with Meaning

In the three-part video series- Vision, Primal Force & Quality Barbara outlines the core themes of Lascaux’s renewed vision. Some of the key themes include:

Sustainability – responsibly sourced and manufactured materials
Durability – long-lasting quality suitable for both modern artists and restoration specialists
Craftsmanship – precision and passion in every product

These paints are vibrant, rich, and deeply expressive—designed to awaken creativity across disciplines and experience levels. Their versatility and brilliance affirm Lascaux’s commitment to nurturing both tradition and innovation in the visual arts.

A Shared Ethos at Chapman & Bailey

At Chapman & Bailey, these values resonate deeply. Born in a garage nestled amongst Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, our business has always recognised that great work needs great support—both physical and philosophical.

As Lascaux's website beautifully states, "Products produced be hand, made with heart."

We are proud to bring this exceptional range to Australian artists—whether working amidst the vast majesty of the Top End and Central Desert or within the vibrant hum of inner-city studios. We know that to create is not just a physical act—it is a spiritual one.

And so, with great joy, we introduce Lascaux Acrylics to our community: paint ranges built on the past, shaped by the present, and oriented toward a conscious, connected future.

To delve deeper into the philosophy behind Lascaux and the transformative power of colour, check out In Colours of the Great Heart – Resonating with Sirius by Barbara Diethelm.