The reproduction of colour and texture

Parraman, Carinna

Abstract

While the volume focuses on colour in art since 1704, this chapter starts with the achievements of an artist of the 17th century, particularly the specific achievements concerning the depiction of colour and texture in paintings, and how those benchmarks have continued to inform our understanding of the appearance of materials and their objects into the twenty-first century. The 17th century marked an era of significant innovation and exploration. In the arts, poetry and philosophy were considered high-arts, but painting was regarded as a lowly occupation, because it was related to the senses and thus regarded as the ‘vulgar imitation of raw nature’ (Callen 1990, p.8). However emerging artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Francisco de Zurbarán, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Diego Velázquez, importantly for this topic of colour, were influenced by the relationship of colour pigments, light and dark, the effect of light on materials and surfaces, and capturing the ephemeral nature of items as if gathered from nature. They began to adopt new techniques to create more realistic and detailed depictions of the world around them.

• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2025
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: A Companion to Color - Blackwell Companions to Art History
• Keywords: Colour, Art History
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14327995
• Additional Information: Judith Mottram (editor), Paul Smith (editor); Due to be published October 2025; Hardback, 448 Pages; ; Synopsis of book:; A comprehensive exploration of color in art and art history, with insights from philosophy, psychology, material science, and cultural history; ; Color has long been central to artistic practice, yet its study spans disciplines from science to philosophy. A Companion to Color brings together thirty essays from leading scholars worldwide, offering a multi-faceted examination of color in art history. Situating color within a broader intellectual framework, this groundbreaking volume integrates perspectives from material science, psychology, philosophy, and cultural history to deepen our understanding of the role of color in artistic expression while highlighting its wider significance in human perception in a variety of contexts.; ; Structured into six thematic sections, the Companion covers a breadth of topics, from the global diversity of thinking about color, as examined in Chinese and Indigenous traditions, to scientific investigations of tetrachromacy and the psychology of color preference. Discussions of materiality explore how pigments and dyes shape artistic practice, while essays on naturalism and autonomy examine the role of color in movements such as Bauhaus and Color Field painting. The essays also consider the use of color in on architecture, fashion, and the art market, offering fresh insights into historical and contemporary applications.; ; Examines color from diverse perspectives, combining art-historical analysis with scientific, cultural, and philosophical approaches; Investigates materiality and technological advancements in color, including Technicolor and digital reproduction; Addresses the intersection of color and commerce, including its impact on industrial design; Includes discussions on color in architecture, film, magazines, and contemporary visual culture; Offers extensive contextual framing, making it an essential resource for interdisciplinary research on color; A Companion to Color is an essential resource for students and scholars in art history, fine art, and visual culture at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is also invaluable for museum and gallery professionals, curators, and educators seeking to deepen their understanding of color in artistic practice and cultural history.
• Contract Date: Oct 1, 2024