Color by Victoria Finlay

In Color: A Natural History of the Palette, Victoria Finlay takes readers on a global adventure to trace the stories of the colors that fill our world. From ancient caves to bustling markets, she investigates the origins of pigments, exploring how geography, trade, science, and even secrecy influenced the development of colors we now take for granted.
Through vivid storytelling, Finlay brings to life the human desire to capture and reproduce color from the costly ultramarine derived from Afghan lapis to the royal purple once reserved for emperors. Each color is presented as both a material and a cultural force, carrying with it centuries of meaning, status, and artistic power.
The book is rich with anecdotes and historical detail, showing how the pursuit of color has driven exploration, innovation,and even conflict. For artists, designers, historians, and anyone enchanted by the beauty and meaning of color, Color is more than a history; it is an immersive narrative that deepens our appreciation for the hues that shape our visual and cultural world.

Short Description: Victoria Finlay’s Color is a captivating journey through the history, culture, and science of pigments. Traveling the world, Finlay uncovers the origins and stories of the hues that make up artists’ palettes from the deep blues of lapis lazuli to the fiery reds of cochineal.
Ideal for artists, historians, and curious readers, the book blends travel writing, history, and art to reveal how color has shaped human creativity and expression across centuries.