First English translation of Goethe's Theory of Colours published

Background. Theory of Colours (German: Zur Farbenlehre) is a book by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe about the poet's views on the nature of colours and how they are perceived by humans. It was published in German in 1810 and in English in 1840. The book contains detailed descriptions of phenomena such as coloured shadows, refraction, and chromatic aberration.

Translation. Charles Lock Eastlake, a British painter and art historian, translated Goethe's work into English in 1840. His translation was noted for its accuracy and readability, described as a perfect reproduction of the original. However, Eastlake omitted Goethe's polemic against Newton, potentially altering the full scope of the original argument for English readers.

Reception. The translation was praised by contemporaries, including Schopenhauer, who acknowledged Eastlake's work in his writings on vision. The English version facilitated the adoption of Goethe's colour theory in the art world, particularly among the Pre-Raphaelites, who found the focus on perception and subjective experience valuable for their artistic practices.