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The Colour Diagram for Art Students

Colour Diagram
ca. 1880-1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This print is a colour diagram designed by Lyon A. Fife, an art master, as a teaching aid for students.

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 colour diagram, however, was conceived to demonstrate not colour theory but the practical application of watercolour pigments and the effects of superimposed washes. It has the basic colours of the watercolour painting set: chrome yellow (1), raw sienna (2), cobalt blue (3), light red (4), ultramarine (5), rose madder (6), brown ochre (7) and China ink wash (8). It was therefore published by Lyon A. Fife as an aid for a wide range of students, and was not designed specifically for the Schools of Design.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Colour Diagram for Art Students (published title)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph, ink on paper
Brief description
The Colour Diagram for Art Students
Physical description
Colour diagram
Dimensions
  • Height: 35cm
  • Width: 38.2cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 10/10/2000 by PaperCons
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
This diagram illustrates which colours combine to form new colours and which colours work well side by side. Lecturers at the Schools of Design placed great emphasis on such theories of colour. The artist, theorist and educator Richard Redgrave (1804-1888) wrote a colour manual for students as early as 1853.
Object history
Made in London by Lyon A. Fife (active 1850-1900)
Summary
Object Type
This print is a colour diagram designed by Lyon A. Fife, an art master, as a teaching aid for students.

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 colour diagram, however, was conceived to demonstrate not colour theory but the practical application of watercolour pigments and the effects of superimposed washes. It has the basic colours of the watercolour painting set: chrome yellow (1), raw sienna (2), cobalt blue (3), light red (4), ultramarine (5), rose madder (6), brown ochre (7) and China ink wash (8). It was therefore published by Lyon A. Fife as an aid for a wide range of students, and was not designed specifically for the Schools of Design.
Collection
Accession number
E.1687-1888

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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