Plum (color) explained

Plum
Hex:8E4585
Source:Maerz and Paul[1]

Plum is a purple color with a brownish-gray tinge, like that shown on the right, or a reddish purple, which is a close representation of the average color of the plum fruit.

As a quaternary color on the RYB color wheel, plum is an equal mix of the tertiary colors russet and slate.[2] [3]

The first recorded use of plum as a color name in English was in 1805.[4]

Variations of plum

Plum (Crayola)

Plum (Crayola)
Hex:843179
Source:Crayola
Isccname:Deep reddish purple

Pale plum

Plum (web)
Hex:DDA0DD
Source:X11
Isccname:Light reddish purple

At right is displayed the color pale plum, which is the pale tone of plum that is the web color called plum.

This color is paler than the color at the head of this article and paler than the color of an actual plum.

Plum (RYB)

Plum (RYB)
Hex:C2938D
Isccname:Light reddish brown
Source:RYB color system

Persian plum (prune)

Persian Plum (prune)
Hex:701C1C
Source:Xona.com Color List
(Maerz and Paul)
Isccname:Deep reddish brown

Displayed at right is the color Persian plum from the Xona.com Color List.

This is the color traditionally called prune because it is a representation of the average color of prunes. Prune is the French word for "plum", but in English the name "prune" is applied to dried plums. This color is a representation of the color of cooked dried plums (prunes). The first recorded use of prune as a color name in English was in 1789.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. This color matches the color identified as plum in the color sample in Maerz and Paul's A Dictionary of Color, displayed on page 117 Plate 47 Color Sample J9
  2. William J. Miskella, 1928, Practical Color Simplified: A Handbook on Lacquering, Enameling, Coloring And Painting, pp
  3. John Lemos, 1920, "Color Charts for the School Room", in School Arts, vol. 19, pp 580–584
  4. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill p. 202; Color Sample of Plum4: p. 117 Plate 47 Color Sample J9 Note: The color designated plum (color #8E4585) that is displayed above matches the color identified as plum in the color sample in Maerz and Paul
  5. Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill p. 202; Color Sample of Prune: p. 117 Plate 47 Color Sample J8