What Color Is Mauve? About Mauve Color

Are you wondering what color is mauve? Stick around as we will share the answer…

Aiming to achieve an old-school regal ambiance? While violet may be an easy option, its fierceness might not meet your desired antique vibe. On the other hand, if you opt for lavender, its frailty may not suggest the royalty you want to project.

So, what’s the next best option?

If you truly want to achieve a mixture of purity and power, you might want to check out the color mauve.

Often described as a pale version of purple, this pigment takes pride in its distinct, classy vibe that seems to prompt feelings of nostalgia and decadence.

If you’re not familiar with this unique color, knowing a bit about its history and proper use can help you take advantage of its potential in your art and design.

Here, we have prepared a brief guide that will teach you everything about the color mauve and its striking features. Read on…

What Color is Mauve? – Definition, History, and Societal Role

Often called “mallow” as a reference to the flower of the same name, the color mauve is pale purple characterized by its gray tint. Under the modern color wheel, the pigment sits between violet and pink, combining both the colors’ unique features and securing a soft yet still majestic hue.

Although frequently overshadowed by its more popular variants, namely violet, lavender, and magenta, mauve has a long history of its own and has played a huge role in reshaping the artistic world.

Specifically, its birth can be traced back to the remarkable chemist William Henry Perkin.

In 1856, the British empire was burdened by the swelling number of soldiers contracting malaria in their voyages to tropical areas. At the time, the only medical remedy available was a substance called quinine, which is known for its high price and rarity.

In a bid to find a more affordable alternative, the then-18-year-old Perkin tried to invent a cure by oxidizing the compound aniline to create quinine.

While the experiment failed to achieve its original purpose, Perkin’s method accidentally left a purplish-colored residue which marked the dawn of the first synthetic dye in history, known as “Perkin’s mauve.”

At the time, the color purple was only attainable using the expensive natural dyes of plants and mollusks. As a result, the color had been greatly limited to royalty.

However, with Perkin’s creation of synthetic dye, the once-reserved color became accessible to the masses and led to an abundance of purple clothing on the market.

With these occurrences, the 1890s became known as “The Mauve Decade,” and the dye, which Perkin accidentally created, became widely recognized by historians as “the color that changed the world.”

Symbols of Mauve

Given the mauve’s appearance, which combines the softness of pink with the extravagance of purple, it is often seen to symbolize both purity and decadence. Since it holds the color purple, which is known for strength and vibrancy, it’s not surprising that mauve is also often recognized as a symbol of youth and moodiness.

However, since it also possesses the tenderness of pink, the color seems to project devotion and femininity.

To date, it is often used in fashion and design to establish a subtly regal ambiance often paired with maroon, gray, and antique rose.

Due to its dramatic paleness, it is also used to invoke feelings of nostalgia, romance, and sentimentality.

How to Create the Color Mauve

To re-create the color mauve using paint, you’ll need to turn it back to its position on the color wheel.

Since the color is seated between purple and pink, this shows that you need to use blue and red paint (remember, blue plus red equals purple), along with a bit of white paint (red plus white equals pink).

Now, to arrive at the color mauve, you will need to add a bit of blue and red first to create purple. Once done, add white to the mixture to lighten the color until you arrive at your preferred mauve tone.

The Bottom Line

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Impressed by the color mauve? Boasting its distinct features, this pale purplish hue is sure to add more drama and meaning to your creation.

To learn more about mauve’s strength, feel free to experiment with your art materials and discover the hidden potential of this spectacular pigment today.