Academic Journal
The Colour Reference Library, Royal College of Art, London.
| Title: | The Colour Reference Library, Royal College of Art, London. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Parkinson, Neil1 |
| Source: | Journal of Design History. Sep2014, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p297-308. 12p. 7 Color Photographs. |
| Abstract: | The Colour Reference Library (CRL) at the Royal College of Art, London (Kensington campus), is a collection of nearly 2,000 published works on the subject of colour. This article describes the library’s history and considers some of its key strengths, with particular reference to colour theory and colour standards. The advantages of physical collocation of different editions are considered in relation to significant colour theorists, including Isaac Newton, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, M. E. Chevreul and Josef Albers. The importance of the library’s emphasis on more obscure works is addressed through consideration of the writings of Mary Gartside and Maxwell Armfield. A selection of published colour standards, both established and ephemeral, is discussed. Typical and unusual uses of the CRL are described, while current research trends are outlined. The physical arrangement of the collection is noted, along with an observation of the advantages and disadvantages of the classification system used. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
| Subject Terms: | *Color, *Collections, Color -- Social aspects, Theory, Standards |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Company/Entity: | Royal College of Art (Great Britain) |
| People: | Chevreul, M. E. (Michel Eugène), 1786-1889 |
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| ISSN: | 09524649 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/jdh/ept004 |
| Database: | Art & Architecture Complete |