Werner's Nomenclature of Colours

The "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours" collection in RGB Color Wallpaper Pro provides 110 color wallpapers, a unique and notably rich set for your device. These are based on an important and influential 19th-century color guide widely used by scientists, artists, and naturalists to identify and describe colors found in the natural world.

Where do these color wallpapers come from?

These color wallpapers are derived from "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours," a book originally compiled by German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner in the late 18th century. It was later expanded and updated by Scottish painter Patrick Syme in 1814 and again in 1821. Syme's edition included actual color swatches and detailed where each color could be observed in animals, vegetables, and minerals. This system became an important tool for naturalists, including Charles Darwin during his voyage on HMS Beagle, to precisely record the colors of their findings. You can explore a beautiful interactive version of this historic work, created by Nicholas Rougeux, which served as the primary source for the color wallpapers in this collection.

The color names and their interpretations in this app's collection aim to be faithful to this historical nomenclature. Being a work from the 19th century, "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours" is in the public domain. The digital representation by Nicholas Rougeux, which was used as a source, also kindly makes its data available. This allows everyone to freely use and appreciate these historic color descriptions, offering a glimpse into how colors were scientifically described and categorized in the past.

What's special about these color wallpapers?

The "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours" collection is special because it provides color wallpapers with unique and often poetic names that directly reference the natural world. Unlike modern digital color systems, Werner's names often include specific examples from nature, such as "Snow White" (found in the "breast of the black-headed Gull") or "Scotch Blue" (from the "stamina of Single Purple Anemone"). This gives each color wallpaper a rich backstory and a connection to historical scientific observation.

The color wallpapers in this collection evoke a sense of history and the natural sciences. They are not just abstract color values but are tied to tangible examples that Werner and Syme documented, making them fascinating for anyone interested in history, art, or the natural world. The descriptions often include where to find the color in the Animal Kingdom, the Vegetable Kingdom, and the Mineral Kingdom.

Here are a few examples of the color wallpapers you can find in this collection:

Why is this collection in RGB Color Wallpaper Pro?

We've included "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours" to offer users a truly unique and historically significant set of color wallpapers. This collection appeals to those who appreciate the history of science and art, the beauty of nature, and the charm of antique classification systems. Choosing a color wallpaper from this collection can give your device a distinctive and thought-provoking background, connecting it to a rich tradition of color observation and description.

How are these color wallpapers organized?

In RGB Color Wallpaper Pro, "Werner's Nomenclature of Colours" forms a distinct collection of 110 color wallpapers. These are further organized into ten smaller categories, based on the main color categories used in Syme's edition of Werner's work: "Whites," "Greys," "Blacks," "Blues," "Purples," "Greens," "Yellows," "Oranges," "Reds," and "Browns." This structure allows you to easily find specific color wallpapers by browsing within these historical categories or viewing the entire fascinating set.