Prussian Blue 1927

Curator: This is "Prussian Blue," a manufactured pigment sample produced by F. Weber & Company around 1927. Editor: It's striking how intense the blue is, even in this small quantity. It feels almost...industrial. Curator: It’s fascinating how Prussian blue, discovered accidentally in the 18th century, quickly became a symbolic color, representing both royalty and, later, associated with military uniforms and industrial processes. Editor: Yes, and the label itself is quite telling—"above size, below linseed oil." It speaks to the standardization of color in early 20th-century manufacturing, which has implications for the mass production of commodities and standardization of labor. Curator: The alchemical transformation from base ingredients to this rich pigment echoes our human desire to create and control our visual world. Editor: Exactly. And in a way, the bottled pigment becomes an object, removed from any original purpose, which raises questions about context and commodification. Curator: Considering its chemical composition and the era it comes from, the pigment holds a multitude of meanings. Editor: Indeed, it encapsulates the intersection of chemistry, history, and visual culture.