Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion & Design

During the Industrial Revolution, the perception of color in Victorian Britain changed, becoming a symbol of modern life. "Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion & Design" explores this shift through culture, technology, art, and literature, showcasing how artists and writers responded to the industrial present by drawing inspiration from the past, the Middle East, and Japan.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2023
Publisher: Ashmolean Museum

Contrary to the monochrome vision of Queen Victoria's mourning dresses and the coal-polluted streets of Charles Dickens' London, Victorian Britain was, in fact, a period of new and vivid colours. The Industrial Revolution had transformed the Victorians' perception of colour, and over the course of the second half of the 19th century, it became the key signifier of modern life.

Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion & Design charts the Victorians' new attitudes to colour through a multi-disciplinary exploration of culture, technology, art, and literature. The catalogue explores key 'chromatic moments that inspired Victorian artists and writers to think anew about the materiality of colour. Rebelling against the bleakness of the industrial present, these figures learned from the sacred colours of the past, the sumptuous colours of the Middle East and Japan, and looked forward towards the decadent colours that defined the end of the century.

The Industrial Revolution brought about a shift in the Victorians' perception of colour, as they became more aware of the vast array of hues available to them. This newfound appreciation for colour led to the development of new technologies, such as the invention of the colour printer, which allowed for the mass production of coloured prints and illustrations.

In addition to the technological advancements, the Industrial Revolution also brought about a change in the social and cultural landscape of Victorian Britain. The rise of the middle class and the expansion of urbanisation led to a greater demand for colourful clothing and accessories. This, in turn, led to the development of new fashion trends, such as the popularity of bright colours, bold patterns, and elaborate embroidery.

One of the most notable examples of the Victorians' use of colour is the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, which was founded in 1848, was a group of artists who rejected the traditional techniques of painting and sought to create works that were more realistic and true to life. They were particularly interested in the use of colour, and their works often featured vivid and bold colours, such as red, blue, and yellow.

Another example of the Victorians' use of colour is the work of the Impressionists. The Impressionists, who were active in France in the late 19th century, were known for their use of light and colour to create a sense of movement and atmosphere. They were particularly interested in the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and space, and their works often featured bright and bold colours, such as orange, pink, and blue.

In addition to the visual arts, the Victorians also used colour in their literature and music. The works of Charles Dickens, for example, are known for their vivid and descriptive descriptions of the streets of London, which are often depicted in shades of black and grey. However, Dickens also used colour to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion in his works, such as the use of red and yellow to depict the warmth and excitement of Christmas.

Similarly, the works of the composers of the Victorian era, such as Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner, were known for their use of colour in their music. Liszt, in particular, was known for his use of chromatic harmony, which involved the use of different colours to create a sense of tension and excitement in his music.

In conclusion, Victorian Britain was a period of new and vivid colours, as a result of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorians' newfound appreciation for colour. The Industrial Revolution brought about a shift in the Victorians' perception of colour, as they became more aware of the vast array of hues available to them. This newfound appreciation for colour led to the development of new technologies, such as the invention of the colour printer, which allowed for the mass production of coloured prints and illustrations. In addition to the technological advancements, the Industrial Revolution also brought about a change in the social and cultural landscape of Victorian Britain. The rise of the middle class and the expansion of urbanisation led to a greater demand for colourful clothing and accessories. This, in turn, led to the development of new fashion trends, such as the popularity of bright colours, bold patterns, and elaborate embroidery.

One of the most notable examples of the Victorians' use of colour is the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, which was founded in 1848, was a group of artists who rejected the traditional techniques of painting and sought to create works that were more realistic and true to life. They were particularly interested in the use of colour, and their works often featured vivid and bold colours, such as red, blue, and yellow.

Another example of the Victorians' use of colour is the work of the Impressionists. The Impressionists, who were active in France in the late 19th century, were known for their use of light and colour to create a sense of movement and atmosphere. They were particularly interested in the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and space, and their works often featured bright and bold colours, such as orange, pink, and blue.

In addition to the visual arts, the Victorians also used colour in their literature and music. The works of Charles Dickens, for example, are known for their vivid and descriptive descriptions of the streets of London, which are often depicted in shades of black and grey. However, Dickens also used colour to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion in his works, such as the use of red and yellow to depict the warmth and excitement of Christmas.

Similarly, the works of the composers of the Victorian era, such as Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner, were known for their use of colour in their music. Liszt, in particular, was known for his use of chromatic harmony, which involved the use of different colours to create a sense of tension and excitement in his music.

Dimension: 280 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910807576