The Art of Colour: The History of Art in 39 Pigments

The history of art is a captivating tale of creativity, innovation, and obsession told through the story of color and pigments. From the ultramarine in Vermeer's Milkmaid to the blue hue in Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa, the colors of art have a rich and complex history. Author Kelly Grovier explores this history in ten scintillating chapters, revealing the astonishing backstories of the pigments that define the greatest works in art. Interwoven with the chapters are features focusing on key moments in the evolution of color theory, and reproductions of selected artworks help illuminate the narratives twists and turns. The book offers a new perspective on the world of art and encourages readers to see works of art in a whole new light.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Did you know that the vibrant ultramarine hue that graces the center of Vermeer's Milkmaid connects that masterpiece with 6th-century Zoroastrian paintings discovered on the walls of cave temples in Bamiyan, Afghanistan? Or that the mesmerizing waves that surge and curl in Hokusai's iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa owe their captivating blue brilliance to an alchemist born in Frankensteins Castle in 1673? And were the Pre-Raphaelites truly captivated by a murky brown shade derived from the powdered remnants of ancient mummies? (Spoiler alert: they were.)

Invented by prehistoric cave-dwellers, medieval conjurers, cunning conmen, and savvy scientists, the colors of art weave a captivating tale of human ingenuity and insatiable desire. Over ten thrilling chapters, acclaimed author Kelly Grovier vividly brings that tale to life, revealing the astonishing backstories of the pigments that define the greatest works in the history of art. Interwoven between these chapters are a series of features focusing on key moments in the evolution of color theory, from the revelations of the Enlightenment to the radicalism of the Bauhaus, while carefully selected artwork reproductions help illuminate the narrative's twists and turns.

The history of color is an epic saga of human creativity and relentless pursuit. Read this book and you will never view a work of art in the same light.

Weight: 870g
Dimension: 260 x 182 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500024812