Going round in circles: a problem for colour theory.

Since the early eighteenth century, painters have used the colour wheel, and related diagrams, to predict how colours will mix, to organise them in graduated sequences and contrasting pairs, and to arrange them in harmonious combinations. Artists, along with scientists and philosophers, have also used colour diagrams to set out the relations possible between colours, or the full variety colour can assume. But, although such diagrams are powerful heuristic and logical tools, they embody some significant misconceptions, and create a good deal of confusion, about colour. Drawing on arguments put forward by the philosopher, Wittgenstein, this paper will examine how they fudge or misrepresent the phenomenology, categorisation, and ‘space’ of colour – and the consequences of their doing so for art.

Open to all, free admission.

Thursday 23rd February 2017

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Research Forum Seminar Room, The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN

Staff and students were recently offered an opportunity to introduce their teaching and research to a wider audience by contributing labels for works of art in the new Oculus building. Charlotte has selected the screen print Constable Willow 2 by Andrew Carter, drawing a comparison between the approach of Leon Underwood, the subject of her research, and that of Carter, mentioning in particular, Underwood’s work on trees while serving with Royal Engineers Camouflage Division during World War One.

Dr Karen Lang has recently returned from Moscow where she delivered a lecture entitled 'The German Past and the Painter's Hope: Gerhard Richter at the Jewish Museum, Moscow'. The event took place on 26th January at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center.

Our photo (right) shows Karen with Liya Chechik, Director of Education at the Museum. Liya studied for her History of Art MA here in the Department just a few years ago.

Missing Venice or looking forward to heading there this autumn? Tune in to our colleague from Classics, Dr Michael Scott, on BBC iPlayer.

Welcome back to all all students, including those returning from Venice. We wish you all a great start to the new term and academic year. I particularly look forward to meeting first year and diploma students during our Welcome Reception next week on Thursday 19th January from 5-6.30 pm in the Millburn House Foyer (at the side of the building).

Louise Bourdua, Head of Department

History of Art Associate Professor Lorenzo Pericolo joined members of the Royal Shakespeare Company this week at their rehearsal of a new play The Seven Acts of Mercy. The play tracks the creation of Caravaggio’s famous work of the same name which shows seven acts of kindness in a single scene, and which was painted after the artist had killed a man and fled from Rome. Dr Pericolo, author of two books on Caravaggio, answered questions about the artist's approach to painting, his life and reputation, and how he created The Seven Acts of Mercy. The Company included the play’s writer Anders Lustgarten, director Erica Whyman and Patrick O’Kane, who is playing Caravaggio. Find out more on the RSC news page.

The Seven Acts of Mercy opens in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on 24 November.

There is a coach trip for students at the University of Warwick on 24 November.

Professor Tracy E. Cooper (Temple University, Philadelphia) to deliver lecture on The Last Dogaressa: Material Presence, Gender, and Elite Identity in Early Modern Venice.

Alumni, friends and former staff are gathering in Venice this weekend to celebrate 40 years of teaching History of Art in Venice. Special events include tours and talks led by current and former staff, a careers session led by our alumni for current students, and an evening reception for all at the Warwick Palazzo. Our alumni can see more about this event on the Facebook group page: Warwick History of Art Alumni.

Dr Claire FitzGerald will give a talk today on the early twentieth-century stained-glass artist Margaret Rope. It will take place at Shrewsbury RC Cathedral at 2pm in front of some of Margaret's greatest works. The lecture is one of the activities complementing the Margaret Rope ‘Untold Story’ exhibtion at the Shrewsbury Art Gallery.