IN THE PINK

The oldest biological colour in the world is bright pink

Roseus is Latin for rosy and pink has been used in literature to describe the dawn since Homeric times. Pink appeared in religious art in the early middle ages. The baby Jesus was sometimes painted dressed in pink and in the ‘Madonna of the Pinks’ by Raphael, the Christ child is presenting a pink flower to the Virgin Mary. Italian Renaissance painters used a lot of pink which was mixed from red earth pigment and lime white and loved for its pinky flesh tones on nudes and cherubs.

Eighteenth century Rococo painting was defined by its decorative rosiness - pink was the colour of choice and the colour of the elite - so voguish it was worn by men and women. Madame de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV of France, loved pink so much that French porcelain manufacturer Sèvres created a shade just for her, Rose Pompadour.

The most famous pink painter was Picasso. His ‘Pink’ or Rose Period lasted from 1904 to 1906 and his paintings are a happy response to his romance with Fernande Olivier, a French artist and model who became his muse and mistress. 1960s Pop Art reclaimed pink. Andy Warhol’s pink ‘Marilyn 31’ is one of the most reproduced images in the history of art.

Pink power: During the the 20c pink ceased to be associated with the bourgeoisie and became a colour of defiance - the pink vested Punks, the pink triangle of LGBTQ pride, and for feminists - knitted pink hats became the symbol in 2017.

FEATURING:John O’Carroll, Merlyn Chesterman, Rod Nelson, Adam Halls, Amy Wright, Adam Bridgland, Susan Bleakley, Adrian Holmes, Emma Digerud-White, Chris Prindl

IN THE PINK: Group Show

The oldest biological colour in the world is bright pink

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