17th Century Colour Palettes

Railing Patricia

Ten 17th century writers described the pigments in use in their countries – England, Sweden, Flanders, France, Spain, and Italy. The theme of their treatises was studio practice and the pigments were discussed as they were set on the palette. Surprisingly, the method was the same – from light to dark, white to black. The 17th century palette was an international palette comprising just over 100 pigments.

About the Author

Patricia Railing (PhD, University of Paris, Sorbonne, Philosophy of Art) is an art historian specialising in both the Russian Avant-Garde and the history of artists' pigments. She has compiled this collection, Colour Palettes, from treatises, 1st century B.C. to the 19th century, which culminates in the Documentary Dictionary of Historical Pigments.

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