The first edition of Polychromie Architecturale: Die Farbenklaviaturen by acclaimed architect Le Corbusier will be up for auction Thursday, December 1 at Swann Galleries in New York.

Born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (1887-1965), Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier became one of the most influential figures in the design industry. Even in the contemporary age, his reputation is still very much evident, with 17 of his constructions added to UNESCO’s heritage list this year.

Polychromie Architecturale: Die Farbenklaviaturen, Le Corbusier’s collection of ‘color keyboards’, was initially published in the 1920s. The publication acted as a color guide for customers of Swiss wallpaper manufacturer Salubra so that they could find and match colors for their interior designs. Inside the book are wallpaper samples and 12 pages dedicated to 43 color shades, with interactive sliding panels so readers can visualize the combinations of different hues.

Le Corbusier, Die Farbenklaviaturen von Le Corbusier, color sample book, first edition, Basel, 1931. Estimate $2,500 to $3,500.
© Courtesy Swann Auction Galleries.

Le Corbusier had his own unique color theory, which suggested that colors can be divided into three groups. Constructive natural pigments, which helped to change space perceptions, Dynamic synthetic pigments for emotional contrast and Transitional transparent synthetic colors that could change appearance without affecting volume.

Each color was believed to have its own function, from weight, depth perception and unity to psychological effects. Le Corbusier would use these color theories to create two series for the Swiss wallpaper company, one featuring plain color combinations and the other with bold, large-scale graphic shapes.

Le Corbusier, Die Farbenklaviaturen von Le Corbusier, color sample book, first edition, Basel, 1931. Estimate $2,500 to $3,500.
© Courtesy Swann Auction Galleries.

The Swann Galleries in New York are confident of a successful sale of the rare “Polychromie Architecturale: Die Farbenklaviaturen,” expected to go for up to $3,500.

www.swanngalleries.com/news/2016/11/le-corbusier-color-theory-sample-book/