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World of Art
Color in Art
A wide-ranging and engaging introduction to the place and power of color in art.
Over the course of the past few centuries, the complex phenomenon of color has received detailed treatment from the perspectives of physics, chemistry, physiology, psychology, linguisitics, and philosophy. However, visual artists—the people who work most closely with color—have rarely been asked for their opinions about this ubiquitous but insolubly mysterious subject.
In his new book John Gage, author of the award-winning Color and Culture , focuses on the thoughts and practices of artists. Color in Art is concerned with the history of color, but is not itself a history; instead each chapter develops a theme from one of the aforementioned scientific disciplines from the viewpoint of artists such as Kandinsky, van Gogh, and Kapoor. Flags, synaesthesia, theosophy, theater design, chromotherapy, and chromophobia are among the many topics covered. 180 illustrations, 150 in color.
Over the course of the past few centuries, the complex phenomenon of color has received detailed treatment from the perspectives of physics, chemistry, physiology, psychology, linguisitics, and philosophy. However, visual artists—the people who work most closely with color—have rarely been asked for their opinions about this ubiquitous but insolubly mysterious subject.
In his new book John Gage, author of the award-winning Color and Culture , focuses on the thoughts and practices of artists. Color in Art is concerned with the history of color, but is not itself a history; instead each chapter develops a theme from one of the aforementioned scientific disciplines from the viewpoint of artists such as Kandinsky, van Gogh, and Kapoor. Flags, synaesthesia, theosophy, theater design, chromotherapy, and chromophobia are among the many topics covered. 180 illustrations, 150 in color.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 21, 2008
A quality book that covers the use of color in art through artists and their practices. That's something not found in a lot of color studies so it's valuable for that.
August 14, 2025
Years ago, when I was in college, a fellow undergrad took me into one of his classes thinking that because I was interested in art, I would enjoy it. The professor spoke about how color works in the eye and how we perceive it. I had never been so bored I my life! My friend couldn’t believe my reaction. He thought it fascinating. (Years later he became a VIP in the technical department at Technicolor so perhaps he was on to something.)
I bring this up because the science of how we see color plays a big part in the first chapter of this book. This time I thought it a little more interesting. Other topics include the history of color theory, how mathematics plays a part, op art, how color works in three dimensions, the use of colored lights, etc.
None of this would be something that I’d go out of my way to read. Give me color symbolism, the history of dyes, how the various painters use pigments, etc, and I’m a happy girl. Nevertheless, much to my surprise I did find this approach intriguing. Now I see color in a new light (npi)!
Gage wrote several larger books on these subjects. I’m afraid they still intimidate me. But I must say, “Color in Art” was an excellent introduction.
I bring this up because the science of how we see color plays a big part in the first chapter of this book. This time I thought it a little more interesting. Other topics include the history of color theory, how mathematics plays a part, op art, how color works in three dimensions, the use of colored lights, etc.
None of this would be something that I’d go out of my way to read. Give me color symbolism, the history of dyes, how the various painters use pigments, etc, and I’m a happy girl. Nevertheless, much to my surprise I did find this approach intriguing. Now I see color in a new light (npi)!
Gage wrote several larger books on these subjects. I’m afraid they still intimidate me. But I must say, “Color in Art” was an excellent introduction.
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February 22, 2023Not the very most basic introduction but still meant for those who are only just beginning to explore what color means in art. Author provides context for a variety of movements, mostly in the late 19th and the 20th centuries.
December 9, 2008
Interesting concepts on the usage of color
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews