Artwork
Specimens of watercolours painted to test the stability of the pigments
Specimens of watercolours painted to test the stability of the pigments is a watercolor work on paper by the Post-Impressionist artist Arthur Hopkins. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour specimen, created by Arthur Hopkins in 1907, comprises a series of controlled samples designed to assess the stability of various pigments.
Subject & Meaning
The work consists of rows of labeled rectangles of watercolour paint, each a different colour, with names like 'Scarlet Lake' and 'Cobalt Violet'. The specimens demonstrate how different colours resist fading or degradation over time, providing a direct comparison of pigment performance.
Technique & Style
The paint swatches show varying degrees of fading, with some colours remaining bold while others have degraded. Handwritten notes suggest experiments with mixing paints, indicating a systematic approach to testing pigment stability.
History & Provenance
The Victoria and Albert Museum holds examples of these paint tests, indicating the work's connection to a broader context of artistic experimentation and pigment research.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Hopkins was an American Broadway theatre producer in the early twentieth century.
