Mauve is a pale purple color that lies between red and pink on the color spectrum. The exact hue of mauve has been debated, with some describing it as more of a pinkish tone and others seeing it as closer to red. In this article, we’ll examine the origins of mauve, how it relates to other colors like red and pink, and look at examples to help determine whether mauve aligns more closely with shades of red or pink.
The history of mauve
The first synthetic dye to be mass produced, mauveine, was discovered by chemist William Perkin in 1856. This dye produced a new, striking purple-pink color that became known as mauve. Prior to Perkin’s discovery, purple clothing was difficult to produce and therefore was a luxury only the wealthy could afford. The new, affordable mauve dye was immensely popular in Victorian high society in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Queen Victoria herself wore mauveine-dyed gowns and helped elevate the color’s status. Over time, mauve became associated with decadent artificiality and fell out of favor as chemical dyes were perceived as inferior to natural plant-based dyes. By the early 20th century, mauve had largely disappeared from fashion.
In the 1990s, mauve had a resurgence in popularity, now produced using synthetic manganese phosphate pigments. Unlike the mauveine dye of the Victorian era, this modern mauve was brighter and had more red undertones. The 1990s mauve trend was prominent in everything from clothing to interior design.
How mauve relates to red and pink
The color spectrum
Looking at a basic color wheel or spectrum helps give context to how mauve relates to neighboring colors like red and pink. Mauve falls between the primary colors of red and blue, skewing closer to red. Red, purple, and pink are all created by combining varying amounts of red and blue.
Pure red sits on one end. As more blue is blended in, the hue becomes more purple. When even more blue is added, purple becomes pink. Mauve falls between red-purple and red-pink. Visually, mauve is much closer to pink than it is to pure red, but still retains some subtle red undertones.
Comparing mauve to red shades
When placed side-by-side with shades of red, mauve’s purple leanings become clear. Noticeably absent from mauve are the warm, fiery orange aspects of red.
| Red | Mauve |
|---|---|
| Fire engine red | Mauve |
| French rose | Thistle |
| Psychedelic purple | Lilac |
Looking at these examples, mauve lacks the vivid, warm intensity of red. Mauve is quite distinct from these shades of red, showcasing its subtle cool, purple tones.
Comparing mauve to pink shades
When viewed alongside different hues of pink, mauve’s similarities are much more pronounced. While still discernible as its own distinct color, mauve aligns more closely with pink in terms of hue, depth, and tone.
| Pink | Mauve |
|---|---|
| Cotton candy | Pale mauve |
| French pink | Opera mauve |
| Light pink | Medium mauve |
The mauve swatches blend seamlessly with the pink hues, showcasing their close relationship. While still unmistakably purple, mauve aligns very closely with various shades of pink.
Mauve examples
Looking at real-world examples of mauve also gives insight into whether it skews more pink or red. Mauve can be found in nature, manmade objects, paint swatches, and more.
Mauve in nature
There are a few naturally occurring mauve examples found in plants and minerals.
| Natural Mauves |
|---|
| Lilac blossoms |
| Lavender flowers |
| Amethyst quartz |
| Mallow or French hollyhock flowers |
As seen in these examples, mauve manifests as a soft, pinkish purple rather than a vivid red-purple when found in nature. Flowers like lilacs, lavender, and hollyhocks all exhibit a blue-leaning purplish-pink coloration. The mineral amethyst also shows how mauve lies between pink and purple.
Mauve paint swatches
Paint companies assign names to different hues used in their products. Comparing mauve paint swatches to red and pink equivalents shows how mauve relates on an official color scale.
| Paint Swatches |
|---|
| Benjamin Moore Mauve Mist |
| Sherwin-Williams Passionate Plum |
| Behr Pale Mauve |
| Valspar Lavender Bouquet |
These paint swatches demonstrate how mauve is considered closer to pink than red. Names like “pale mauve” and “lavender” illustrate the light, soft quality of these mauve hues. They lean much more pink than the bold reds and deep purples on the opposite sides of the color wheel.
Manmade mauve objects
Mauve can also be observed in a range of manmade objects that showcase its pinkish-purple tone.
| Mauve Objects |
|---|
| Orchid flower corsage |
| Lavender-scented candle |
| Amethyst gemstone ring |
| Vintage mauve evening gown |
The pale purple used for objects like flowers, candles, gemstones, and clothing all align mauve more closely with pink than true red. When designers want to add a pop of red, they tend to use a bold, pure red. Mauve is more subdued and qualified as a lighter purple, keeping it firmly in the pinkish side of the color spectrum.
Conclusion
After examining the history of mauve, how it fits on the color wheel, comparisons to red and pink hues, and real-world examples, the evidence heavily supports the classification of mauve as closer to pink than red.
While still containing subtle hints of its red-purple origins, mauve leans much closer to various depths and saturation levels of pink. Calling mauve more of a pinkish purple than a reddish purple is an accurate representation of how this soft, pale hue fits among its color neighbors.
So next time you observe something mauve in nature or design, you can confidently call it a light purple pink rather than associating it with the bold brightness of red. Mauve occupies a special spot between the two that allows it to exhibit subtleties of both sides – but overall, it’s more pink than red.