Coloration in vivid Victorian times

Fascinating exhibition opens in Oxford, UK

Colourists will be very interested in a major new museum show that dispels some myths about nineteenth century Britain, and the creativity of those times.

The exhibition Colour Revolution: Victorian art, fashion and design opens at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on September 21.

People sometimes think of this era as rather monochrome – but it was actually vibrant and colour-filled, from dazzling dyes used in chic corsets, bold experiments by avant-garde painters, and the flamboyant use of nature’s beauty in jewellery.

As Britain’s industrial revolution gained pace, new scientific breakthroughs allowed the Victorians to become increasingly revolutionary in their use of colour, with new hues greeted with both excitement and suspicion.

The exhibition will include fashion pieces – from Queen Victoria’s sombre mourning dress to the most daringly vivid clothing and accessories – and works by artists including Ruskin, Rossetti and Whistler, as well as objects from around the world.

The show runs until 18th February.

Watch out for a report about the show by longstanding SDC member and experienced colour practitioner, educator and researcher, Pat Hardcastle, in the December issue of The Colourist.