Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125c

A Diagram to Illustrate the Harmonious Relations of Colour

Print
ca. 1853 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This print is a colour diagram designed and used as a teaching aid for students. It has two holes in the supporting mount to enable it to be hung up as a visual aid.

Ownership & Use
During the 19th century a number of studies were made on the relationship of colour and light, by both scientists and artists. Generally these took the form of colour wheels of primary colours. This diagram was published as an aid for a students of design on courses run by the Department of Practical Art. Itwas meant to be used in conjunction with Richard Redgrave's Elementary Manual of Colourfirst published in 1853 by Chapman and Hall.

People
Painter and designer Richard Redgrave (1804-1888) drew up the first curriculum of the National Schools of Art when they were established in 1852. The curriculum focussed on drawing from ornamental forms from models and examples. The National Schools of Art replaced the Government School of Design which were first set up in 1837 to teach artisans principles of good design. Redgrave had taught botany at the schools in 1847. He became Art Superintendant in 1852 and Inspector-General in 1857. A number of his paintings, and objects designed by him, are in the V&A collections.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleA Diagram to Illustrate the Harmonious Relations of Colour (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Colour Lithograph on paper, mounted on card
Brief description
Diagram showing the harmonious relationships of colour, published by Chapman and Hall, ca. 1853.
Physical description
Diagram consisting of triangles and quadrahedrons of different colours arranged in a circle with arrows in the centre connecting different colours. Surrounding the diagram is a large amount of explanatory text.
Dimensions
  • Whole height: 538mm (whole, pasted onto mount)
  • Whole width: 347mm (whole, pasted onto mount)
Marks and inscriptions
  • A DIAGRAM TO ILLUSTRATE / THE HARMONIOUS RELATIONS OF COLOUR. / Prepared for the Use of Schools in connexion with the / DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL ART.
  • [text describing the Laws of harmonies, relations of colour and the propertes of colour in two columns and below diagram]
  • It is desirable that every student shoudl make a copy of this Diagram as soon as possible for his own use and be / ready to answer the questions which have been prepared to accompany it.
  • Published by Authority by / CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY, LONDON. / Price One Shilling. / Manufacturers requiring any quantity for distribution in Schools and Workshops, can have them at a reduced price by applying direct to the Publishers.
Object history
On the back 'Retrieved from BOS 61/201'.
Summary
Object Type
This print is a colour diagram designed and used as a teaching aid for students. It has two holes in the supporting mount to enable it to be hung up as a visual aid.

Ownership & Use
During the 19th century a number of studies were made on the relationship of colour and light, by both scientists and artists. Generally these took the form of colour wheels of primary colours. This diagram was published as an aid for a students of design on courses run by the Department of Practical Art. Itwas meant to be used in conjunction with Richard Redgrave's Elementary Manual of Colourfirst published in 1853 by Chapman and Hall.

People
Painter and designer Richard Redgrave (1804-1888) drew up the first curriculum of the National Schools of Art when they were established in 1852. The curriculum focussed on drawing from ornamental forms from models and examples. The National Schools of Art replaced the Government School of Design which were first set up in 1837 to teach artisans principles of good design. Redgrave had taught botany at the schools in 1847. He became Art Superintendant in 1852 and Inspector-General in 1857. A number of his paintings, and objects designed by him, are in the V&A collections.
Bibliographic reference
Redgrave, Richard. An Elementary Manual of Colour with a Catechism to be used with the diagram illustrating the harmonious relations of color. (London: Chapman & Hall, 1856).
Collection
Accession number
15170

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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