Classical colour spectrum
Date
1613
Creator
Theodor Galle (1571 - 1633, Flemish) , Engraver
After
François d'Aguilon (1567 - 1617, Flemish) , Author
Object type
Library reference
RCN 24525
Material
Technique
Subject
Description
Classical colour spectrum from Opticorum libri sex (Six Books of Optics) by Flemish mathematician and physicist François d'Aguilon (1567-1617). The spectrum is based on Aristotelian colour theory, with the traditional primary colours of yellow, red and blue placed on a line between white and black. Based on observations of the natural world, Aristotle believed that all colours were derived from mixing white and black in different quantities.
Compound colours are shown on the lines below, with gold produced by mixing yellow and red, purple produced from red and blue, and green made from yellow and blue. The names of the colours are shown in Latin in the diagram, with d'Aguilon’s name also latinised as Francisci Aguilonii.
Illustration from page 40 of Opticorum libri sex, 1613.
François d'Aguilon (1567-1617), Flemish mathematician and physicist, was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Compound colours are shown on the lines below, with gold produced by mixing yellow and red, purple produced from red and blue, and green made from yellow and blue. The names of the colours are shown in Latin in the diagram, with d'Aguilon’s name also latinised as Francisci Aguilonii.
Illustration from page 40 of Opticorum libri sex, 1613.
François d'Aguilon (1567-1617), Flemish mathematician and physicist, was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.