Simple: the 'experts' thought it was blue (more regal) until the paint research was completed on the raised ship. My wife assures me I am wrong all the time - same thing only different
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Mantua Model Group - Vasa Art. 737 1:60th Scale
- Thread starter KingDaddyo
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I wonder why some people who built the Vasa painted it in primary blue instead of the red it should be?
I like the blue better, less gaudy. So, is there a right color?
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Hi @KingDaddyo , that's quite a project you have, I will be watching intently. Might I suggest searching YouTube for "vasa vasamuseet hocker". There are a series of videos "Onboard the Vasa" by Fred Hocker, the Director of Research at the Vasa Museum. Fred, also a member of this forum, takes you on a guided tour inside the Vasa and explains many of the nuances of the vessel.
The reason some people who built models or depictions of the Vasa painted it primarily blue, instead of the historically accurate red, stems from earlier misconceptions among experts about the ship's original color scheme. For many years, it was widely believed that the Vasa's background color was blue and that its sculptures were almost entirely gilded. This view influenced many artistic representations and model reconstructions of the ship, especially from the 1970s to the early 1990s.
The earlier blue color theory was based on limited evidence and assumptions, but once more advanced analytical techniques and historical research were applied, the true color scheme, dominated by red, was confirmed. Despite this, some model builders and artists have continued to use the outdated blue scheme, either out of tradition, unawareness of the updated research, or because they are referencing older sources.
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Hey King,
it was also due to the fact that the blue was difficult to obtain. It had to be specially made from various resources. The nobility also loved the blue, as it was royal and the kings adorned themselves with the most beautiful purple blue. Therefore rare and expensive. Especially for warships in the 16th to the early 18th century, warships of the 1st rank were particularly expensively decorated. The reason for this was to show the enemy how rich and powerful the opposing king was so that he could afford such a ship. I was in Stockholm and had a look at the Vasa. It is impressive. If you like, I can post pictures here in your build report.
Best regards
Günther
it was also due to the fact that the blue was difficult to obtain. It had to be specially made from various resources. The nobility also loved the blue, as it was royal and the kings adorned themselves with the most beautiful purple blue. Therefore rare and expensive. Especially for warships in the 16th to the early 18th century, warships of the 1st rank were particularly expensively decorated. The reason for this was to show the enemy how rich and powerful the opposing king was so that he could afford such a ship. I was in Stockholm and had a look at the Vasa. It is impressive. If you like, I can post pictures here in your build report.
Best regards
Günther
Please do
Can you imagine the skills of the people who did the carvings for this ship? Must have been a great time to live as a ship builder!