Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a vibrant blend of history, travel, and art - perfect for anyone fascinated by the unexpected stories and cultural significance behind the colors we see every day. It’s especially appealing for artists, historians, or naturally curious readers who want a passport to the world of pigments, dyes, and the surprising history that colors our world. Finlay’s adventurous spirit and the global scope of her research make it both eye-opening and delightful.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers felt put off by the author’s risk-taking and self-focused travel stories, which can border on the self-indulgent and sometimes distract from the actual history of colors. If you’re hoping for a strictly factual or deeply technical exploration of pigments, or prefer a more scholarly and less anecdotal approach, the book’s personal narrative style and meandering focus might leave you wanting more depth and less diary. Also, those desiring lots of illustrations may be disappointed by the lack of visual examples.
About:
'Color: A Natural History of the Palette' by Victoria Finlay is a unique blend of history, travel memoir, and art exploration. Readers find themselves immersed in a world of vivid human stories, cultural connections, and the significance of pigments throughout time. However, some readers express a desire for more visuals to accompany the rich historical information, feeling that the book would be even more magical with illustrations. The book takes readers on a journey through time, space, and colors, delving into the origins of various dyes and pigments while offering a glimpse into the lives of artists and scientists who have been intertwined with these hues.
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From The Publisher:
Discover the tantalizing true stories behind your favorite colors.
For example: Cleopatra used saffron-a source of the color yellow-for seduction. Extracted from an Afghan mine, the blue "ultramarine" paint used by Michelangelo was so expensive he couldn't afford to buy it himself. Since ancient times, carmine red-still found in lipsticks and Cherry Coke today-has come from the blood of insects.
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Color: A Natural History of the Palette?
About the Author:
Victoria Finlay studied social anthropology at the University of St. Andrews and the College of William & Mary, Virginia, before working for Reuters in London and Scandinavia. She spent twelve years as a journalist in Hong Kong, five of them…
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