The first heritage exhibition of 2026, Colour: Shades, Tints, And Hues, Artworks From The RBSA Permanent Collection, is an exploration of the works held in the RBSA Permanent Collection, each chosen because they feature one dominant colour. With the artworks arranged on a colour wheel, visitors will be able to experience the feelings and emotions evoked by each piece, providing an insight into why artists choose to work with certain colours.
When humans created the first artworks, cave paintings dating back as far as 45,000 years ago, colour would have simply been the result of the materials available. As time went on, palettes gained more colour and artists began employing different hues for reasons beyond simple necessity. For example, during the middle ages, Renaissance, and early modern period, ultramarine blue, made using semi-precious lapis lazuli, was used to demonstrate wealth and status, as the pigment was often more expensive than gold.
In the Victorian era, a ‘colour revolution’, driven by discoveries of new minerals and advancements in techniques, meant that the number of colours available to artists grew enormously, and today there are up to 150 different pigments on the market. This ever growing selection has allowed the modern artist the freedom to use colour for a variety of different reasons, including the representation of specific emotions and moods, or to convey thoughts and ideas, free from the restrictions of cost or limited options.
The artworks selected for this exhibition date back throughout the Society’s history and demonstrate the huge growth in the number of pigments made just in the RBSA’s lifetime. Visitors can see the vast differences in how artists have used colour throughout that time, from early realistic studies to more modern works employing colour in a highly expressive way.
While some visitors may be familiar with certain works, this exhibition affords them the opportunity to see pieces from a new perspective, juxtaposed with works they may not otherwise sit next to, shining new light on these precious artworks and the collection as a whole.
Preview Evening: Thursday 26 February 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 28 March 5.00pm
Featured image: Glyn Griffiths, Colour Of Summer, 1963Â
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm
