I started reading this book while visiting my niece. I loved it SO much, I ordered it for myself. The author goes through the history of colors and how they were used in various art forms, such as painting and colored glass work. She visits the sites where the original minerals for these colors were mined or found. As an amature historian, I found all of this fascinating. She discusses how the formulas for some of the most beautiful colors, used in the days before pre-made colors for paint and glass were widely available, are now lost because many of the formulas were not written down. There are some lovely color photographs within the book, but often they are not large enough to really get a good look at the pictures, especially with my aging eyesight. I would have liked larger and MORE photographs, however, such additions are expensive to print. So, I had to be satisfied with what was there. I very much enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone with an interest in art, art history, or history of the Middle Ages or before.

This is a wonderful story about the history/ origin of color as experienced from travels and experiences. Very informative. Also the book arrived in due time. Very reliable seller on Amazon!

Been drawing for years in b/w...pen and ink. To make personal contact with color was what I wanted. I could fell the paintings, and could dip the brushs in color, but the colors lacked personality...

Now though, i can feel the hands of the cave man when earth colors are used.

Thank you so very much.

Dean West

I really enjoyed this book. I have to confess, I do a lot of reading before bed and sometimes I don't want to get into something too technical. Sometimes, just sometimes, I want to be entertained : ). This book both informs and entertains superbly. There are many other great reviews of this book so please scan those; I would only add that if you are a serious artist wanting to learn more about watercolor (and even oil!) pigments and their archival qualities, please go to www.handprint.com and click on the color wheel. Their site is very up to date and will save you from some unfortunate purchases of fugitive pigments.

Victoria Finlay is not the type of woman to stay home when there is a story to be told. She boldly ventures into new territory, uncovering fascinating information, local myths, legends and folk stories. The story of color is intertwined with her travels as she first visits Australia to discover the history of Orchre. She also visits China to discover green paint on porcelain and travels to Iran and Spain to uncover the history of saffron. It is helpful to know that eating too much saffron could kill you and that white lead paint is poisonous. Throughout the book she tells stories of pirates and puritans and reveals strange modern day facts like how Cherry Coke is colored with crushed insects (cochineal). In this book you will find Victoria Finlay riding camels to ancient ruins, hiking to lapis lazuli mines and drinking tea with the locals. If you find this book intriguing I think you would also love anything by Diane Ackerman.

~The Rebecca Review