Description
Book Synopsis: Emily Noyes Vanderpoel (1842-1939) was an artist, collector, scholar, and historian working at the dawn of the 20th century. Her first and most prominent work, Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color, provides a comprehensive overview of the main ideas of color theory at the time, as well as her wildly original approaches to color analysis and interaction. Through a 21st century lens, she appears to stumble upon midcentury design and minimalism decades prior to those movements. Presenting her work as a painting manual under the guise and genre of flower painting and the decorative arts― subjects considered “appropriate” for a woman of her time―she was able to present a thoroughly studied, yet uniquely poetic, approach to color theory that was later taken up and popularized by men and became ubiquitous in contemporary art departments. Her remarkable inventiveness shines in a series of gridded squares, each 10 x 10, that analyze the proportions of color derived from actual objects: Assyrian tiles, Persian rugs, an Egyptian mummy case, and even a teacup and saucer. Vanderpoel had a deep knowledge of ceramics and analyzed many pieces from her personal collection. She leaves her process relatively mysterious but what is clear, as historian and science blogger John Ptak notes, is that Vanderpoel “sought not so much to analyze the components of color itself, but rather to quantify the overall interpretative effect of color on the imagination”.
Details
Are you tired of struggling to understand the complexities of color theory? Look no further! Introducing Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color, the revolutionary book by Emily Noyes Vanderpoel. As an artist, collector, and scholar, Vanderpoel dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of color. Her book provides a comprehensive overview of color theory, presenting it in a way that is accessible and easy to grasp for anyone.
What sets Color Problems apart from other color theory books is Vanderpoel's unique approach to analyzing and interacting with color. She masterfully combines her artistic talents with her scholarly knowledge to create a poetic and visually captivating experience for readers. Her pioneering techniques anticipated midcentury design and minimalism by decades, making her work ahead of its time.
Through her meticulous study of various objects, such as Assyrian tiles, Persian rugs, and even a teacup and saucer, Vanderpoel uncovers the hidden secrets of color. She presents her findings through a series of gridded squares, each meticulously depicting the proportions of color derived from these objects. Her deep knowledge of ceramics adds an extra layer of expertise to her analysis, making her an authority in the field.
When you delve into Color Problems, you'll not only gain a profound understanding of color theory, but you'll also embark on a journey of imagination. Vanderpoel's aim was to explore the interpretative effect of color on the mind, paving the way for contemporary artists to embrace and popularize her principles. It's no wonder that her work continues to be celebrated by historians and art enthusiasts alike.
If you're ready to unravel the mysteries of color and tap into your creative potential, don't miss out on the opportunity to own Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color. Click here to order your copy now!
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