English

Robert Grosseteste's colours

History and Philosophy of Physics 2015-08-10 v1

Abstract

Here I am proposing a translation and discussion of the De Colore, one of the short scientific treatises written by Robert Grosseteste. In this very short treatise of the mid-1220s, Grosseteste continued the discussion on light and colours he started in the De Iride. He describes two manners of counting colours: one gives an infinity of tones, the other counts seven colours. In both cases, colours are created by the purity or impurity of the transparent medium when light is passing through it. This medieval framework survived until Newton's experiments with prisms.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1212.6336,
  title  = {Robert Grosseteste's colours},
  author = {Amelia Carolina Sparavigna},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1212.6336},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

Robert Grosseteste, circle of colours

R2 v1 2026-06-21T23:00:43.046Z