The book of colour concepts 1686-1963

Abstract

"The 67 works shown and discussed here are representative of the rich and varied history of colour concepts since the 17th century, and while we have selected many familiar examples of colour concepts that are firmly established in colour history, we hope to have succeeded in putting them in a wider cultural context and to have looked at them with fresh eyes. In addition to these 'classic' examples in their field we have made a particular effort to feature some lesser-known, or more obscure works that deserve to be considered for their aesthetic and theoretical appeal and importance. One further aim is to give more room to works on colour written, published and illustrated by women in the last two centuries. The historical and geographical range offered here is wide, with examples from Europe, the United States and parts of Asia, but we have also sought to be as inclusive as possible with regard to genre and style."--Introduction, pages 7-8.

Contents

Volume 1. Colour controlled and set free: the human history of capturing colour in words and images / Alexandra Loske -- Pyramids of colour: early charts and tables 1686-1799 -- The shape of colour: circles, wheels and globes 1708-1896 -- New elucidations: the rise of colour theory 1704-1864 -- Colours as guiding lights: nomenclatures and standards 1821-1950 -- Volume 2. The materiality of colour concepts / Sarah Lowengard -- Theory and practice: the teaching of colour 1816-1918 -- Colour breaking free: the early 20th century 1902-1933 -- The sound of colour: spiritualism, occultism and music 1869-1946 -- Looking beyond: Eastern colour concepts 1876-1938 -- Interaction and abstraction: Bauhaus and beyond 1919-1963.