See more objects with the tag color theory, primary colors, subtractive color mixing, secondary colors, additive color, color wheel, color manual.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1903

  • Work on this object began.

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Book, Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color

This is a Book. It was written by Emily Noyes Vanderpoel.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives as part of Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

It is dated 1903. Its medium is offset lithograph on paper.

Artist and philanthropist Emily Vanderpoel describes complex color theories using accessible language. This plate illustrates an optical illusion by which the eye blends colors on a spinning wheel. Here, complementary colors combine to form a neutral gray when the wheel is spun.

It is credited Smithsonian Libraries, QC495 .V3 1903.

  • Book, Elementary Color
  • letterpress with collage on paper.
  • Gift of Walter Granville, Smithsonian Libraries, ND1489 .B811 1895.
  • 92.2016.26

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Its dimensions are

H x W (open): 20 × 33 cm (7 7/8 in. × 13 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1108749905/ |title=Book, Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=14 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>