Pigments of the Past

Royal Pavilion curator Alexandra Loske and Creative Programmer, Sam Gillespie recently paid a vibrant visit to Sussex artist Peter Messer in Lewes and had a look at a large collection of vintage pigments in his studio. The famous “wall of colour” is made of over 150 jars of pure pigments that Peter inherited from another artist many years ago.

Most of them are from the 20th century and include such intriguing sounding pigments as Mars Yellow, Manganese Violet, Dragons’ Blood (yes, really!) and Cerulean Blue. Peter, who paints in egg tempera, uses these colours in his work, but is lending the entire collection to us for an exciting new display that will form part of the COLOUR exhibition in the Royal Pavilion, which opens on 21 March 2025.

Embark on a captivating journey through the Royal Pavilion with our new 7-month exhibition for 2025, COLOUR. Step back into George IV’s era, when colour wasn’t just seen—it was felt. Wander through rooms where rich, diverse shades create a full sensory immersion, blending light, sound, and texture. From bold and glossy to mindful and demure, we will take you on a fascinating chromatic journey through the Pavilion. Black and white need not apply. With exciting artist collaborations, workshops and events to enhance the experience, this is a must-see exploration of the power and beauty of colour.

Programme will be announced at the end of January 2025.