See more objects with the tag light, spectrum, flames, solar, color theory, spectroscope, color chemistry.

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2025

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Book, Spectrum Analysis

This is a Book. It was written by Henry E. Roscoe.

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 1869. Its medium is lithograph on paper.

When a pure metal is burned and viewed through a spectroscope (an instrument used to measure the wavelengths of light refracted or diffracted from an object) each element gives off unique spectra, a sort of color fingerprint. Spectral analysis led to the discovery of new elements, and allowed scientists to determine the composition of distant planets and stars.

It is credited Smithsonian Libraries, QC451 .R793.

  • Drawing (USA)
  • color pencil, graphite on cream wove paper.
  • Gift of the Estate of John De Cesare.
  • 1982-25-65

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Color Wheel
  • oil paint on composition board.
  • Gift of Hilaire Hiler.
  • 1960-244-1
  •

Its dimensions are

H x W (open): 24 × 62 cm (9 7/16 × 24 7/16 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/1108749945/ |title=Book, Spectrum Analysis |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=9 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>