Tatum Dooley on August 11, 2023
As part of our new series on the history and meaning of different colours in art, we're excited to present this essay on the colour blue alongside a curation of artworks available on Peggy in the distinct hue. Click on an image to view the artwork in the app or web browser!
The perception of colour is a combination of physics and sentiment. In its simplest form, our eyes interpret light's wavelengths, rendering them into a vivid palette of hues that infuse our world with meaning and excitement. Consider blue: its resonance evokes a sense of calm and quietude. Colours, often taken for granted, impart emotional meaning.
The allure of blue has not been lost on the masters of art. Blue has been a point of fascination for many artists—Maggie Nelson, Picasso, Matthew Wong, Yves Klein, Joni Mitchell. Equal parts ungraspable, rare, and emotional, blue in art evades understanding. Like looking into a vast impasse, blue paintings allow the viewer to get lost in looking. Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night," a tempestuous dance of blues, captures the cosmos' vastness and the mysteries of twilight. In contrast, Henri Matisse's "Blue Nudes" presents a deliberate simplicity: the series, in its starkness, celebrates human form while delving into the intricate emotions that a singular hue can provoke.
Paintings that are dominantly blue often fetch staggering sums in auctions, signalling the art connoisseur's affinity for this shade. This financial success is more than a trend; it's a testament to blue's ongoing appeal. A 2019 study from the Netherlands’ Tilburg University found, “Blue paintings command 18.57% higher bids and stronger intention to purchase.”
Perhaps the most iconic master of blue is Yves Klein and his iconic "IKB 79." Adorned in the arresting International Klein Blue, the artwork embarks on an introspective journey, questioning notions of space, depth, and perception. International Klein Blue is a colour developed by the French artist Yves Klein in 1960. He wanted a colour to represent the depth he saw in the sky. To achieve this, he worked with a chemist Edouard Adam. Adam was well-known for his work with artists, providing them with materials and pigments. They created a unique ultramarine pigment and mixed it with a polymer base. This mixture kept the colour bright and consistent. Klein used this shade in many of his artworks. It became a symbol in post-war European art. Many consider it more than just colour because of its association with Klein's artistic goals.
The innovation surrounding blue didn’t stop with Klein. In 2009, the blue lexicon expanded with the discovery of "YInMN blue" by Mas Subramanian, a scientist at Oregon State University. Beyond its luminous vibrancy, this pigment's stability and non-toxic nature make it a symbol of blue's perpetual relevance in the interplay of art and science.. While researching materials for electronics applications, this new pigment emerged unexpectedly. It is derived from a combination of yttrium, indium, and manganese oxides. The pigment is notable for its stability and non-toxic properties. Since its discovery, it has gained attention in various fields, especially in art.
Blue transcends its role as a mere shade in the spectrum. It becomes a narrative - one that spans history, emotion, and discovery.
Further Reading
Want to learn more about the history of blue and its relation to art? Recently, the study of blue has expanded with Michel Pastoureau's book, "Blue: The History of a Color," which delves deeper into blue's cultural tapestry. Pastoureau tracks blue's evolution in Western culture. Initially, blue had limited presence and was often associated with the clothing of servants. However, during the Middle Ages, its status transformed, becoming emblematic of royalty and divinity. Pastoureau explores how this shift paralleled societal changes. Pastoureau uses art, religion, and material culture to demonstrate blue's ascent in popularity. The book shows how artists' use and perceptions of blue changed over centuries, emphasizing its role in cultural and historical contexts. By looking backwards at the use of blue in historical contexts as well as art history, we can better understand the use of blue in contemporary art.
