Psst...Pass the Munsell!

Hi Fellow Color Lovers,

Over the summer, while participating in the WMU Archaeological Field School at FSJ, I was introduced to the Munsell Color Theory. This was through the use of the Munsell Soil Chart Book. Many archaeologists may recognize this, as it is used to help identify the color of soil when excavating. The book contains many charts, but my unit’s soil typically was identified through the 10YR chart. 

After attending field school, I didn’t think I would need to use the Munsell color theory unless I decided to pursue a career in archaeology. But alas, I was wrong! This semester I learned about the Munsell Bead Color Book, which my classmate Abbey and I are now using. We are using the bead book to identify Fort St. Joseph's bead colors. On the Munsell Color website, it is written that the Munsell Bead Color Book contains 176 of Munsell’s named colors. I am very glad that we got this book, as we will be able to sort all of the glass beads with one color theory, instead of going off of other’s interpretations of the colors. 

After using both of these books, I decided that I wanted to learn about Albert Henry Munsell, the man who created the Munsell Color Theory. I had many questions about who he was, where he was from, and why so many people use his color theory. After some research, I discovered that Munsell was an American painter. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1858, dying at the age of 60 in 1918. He married Julia Orr in 1894 in New York, and they would eventually have four children together. 

During his 60 years on Earth, I believe that Munsell lived an eventful life. According to the Munsell Color website, Munsell graduated college from the Massachusetts Normal Art School located in Boston. The school is now known as, Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Not only did he attend college there, but he became an instructor at the school. Munsell worked at the school for 37 years, during this time he became the “appointed lecturer in Color Composition and Artistic Anatomy”. After instructing at the college for many years, Munsell took some time off where he visited Paris. While in France he was awarded for his work. He also is known for his published books including, Atlas of the Color Solid, Munsell Books of Color, and A Color Notion. 

Not only did Munsell write books and instruct. The Munsell Color website states, that he patented many inventions. These inventions included an art easel, a photometer, a color-sphere and mound, and a set of crayons called the “Munsell Crayons”. The Munsell Crayons were eventually bought out by Binney & Smith Company, who are now known as, “Crayola”. After looking around on the Munsell Color site, I was able to discover that they offer things besides their books and charts. This included services like color vision testing and interactive learning kits for students. 

Albert H. Munsell did a lot for the art community, not only did his work help artists, but it helped people like archaeologists and geologists. Munsell’s work was awarded throughout his life, and afterward. In 1983 the Rochester Institute of Technology was selected to receive donation money off of Munsell’s sold assets. With the money given, RIT created the Munsell Color Science Laboratory. Without his work, I would have to rely on other color systems for my project and in the field school. 

I am excited to see what else I learn about Munsell in my life and to see if I use any other products created through his work. 

Thank you, Korrin :) 

Sources:

“Albert H. Munsell & the Munsell Color Theory.” Munsell Color System; Color Matching from Munsell Color Company, 30 July 2012, munsell.com/about-munsell-color/munsell-color-company-history/albert-h-munsell/.

“Color Vision Tests.” Munsell Color System; Color Matching from Munsell Color Company, munsell.com/color-products/color-vision-tests/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

“Munsell Bead Color Book.” Munsell Color System; Color Matching from Munsell Color Company, munsell.com/color-products/color-communications-products/environmental-color-communication/munsell-bead-color-book/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

“Products.” Munsell Color System; Color Matching from Munsell Color Company, munsell.com/color-products/color-education/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

“Program of Color Science/Munsell Color Science Laboratory.” RIT, www.rit.edu/science/munsell-color-lab. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.