Ostwalds Farbenatlas

Abstract

Originally consisted of 26 issues (Lieferung), each containing ca. 100 cards, housed 2 issues per box for a total of 13 boxes. Illustrating Ostwald's system of color, each card represents a solid color identified by a code on the verso. Ostwald applied the laws of vision and principles of harmony to color arrangement and developed a series of color scales. He invented the equation F+W+B=unity (any color) where F is full color, W is white content and B is black content. Color harmony is derived from the relationship of these quantities as arranged in a color solid.