Making Colour

Yesterday the National Gallery in London opened Making Colour, the first exhibition in the UK to explore the mysteries of pigments used in art. Mainly showing paintings from the Gallery's own collection, which spans art from the early Renaissance to Impressionism, but with borrowed mineral specimens, textiles, ceramics and glass, rooms of the Sainsbury Wing have been themed in different colours, from lapis lazuli to deep green viridian. The dazzling central room is devoted to gold and silver. Modern scientific research also reveals how the human eye and brain respond to colour in unexpected ways. The exhibition runs until 7 September. Timed-ticket entry costs £7 for adults, £6 for silver surfers (CLICK). Shown is Camille Pissarro's The Avenue, Sydenham (1871).