Robert Grosseteste and the Colours

Robert Grosseteste and the Colours

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Author(s)

Author(s): Amelia Carolina Sparavigna

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DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.396 481 1205 1-6 Volume 3 - Jan 2014

Abstract

Here we discuss the De Colore, one of the short scientific treatises written by Robert Grosseteste in the mid-1220s. In this treatise, Grosseteste continues the discussion on light and colours he started in the De Iride. The medieval scientist describes two manners of counting colours: one gives an infinity of tones, the other counts seven essential colours. In both cases, colours are created by the purity or impurity of the transparent medium when light is passing through it. This was the medieval explanation of colours that survived until Newton’s experiments with prisms.

Keywords

History of Science, Medieval Science

References

  1. A.C. Sparavigna, On the Rainbow, a Robert Grosseteste's Treatise on Optics, The International Journal of Sciences, 2013, Volume 2, Issue 9, Pages 108-113
  2. N. Lewis, Robert Grosseteste, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Winter 2010 Edition, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/grosseteste/
  3. These six features are purity and impurity for the medium and brightness, obscurity, intensity and tenuity for light
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  17. D. Allchin, Newton’s Colors, SHiPS Resource Center. Retrieved 2010-10-16
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Cite this Article:

International Journal of Sciences is Open Access Journal.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
Author(s) retain the copyrights of this article, though, publication rights are with Alkhaer Publications.

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