Color in Art

World of Art

by John Gage, Kelly Grovier (Foreword)

A wide-ranging and engaging introduction to the place and power of color in life and art by John Gage, author of the award-winning Color and Culture . The complex phenomenon of color has received detailed attention from the perspectives of physics, chemistry, physiology, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy. However, the people who work most closely with color―artists―have rarely been canvassed for their opinions on this mysterious subject. John Gage sets out to address this omission by focusing 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 a different scientific discipline, as seen from the viewpoint of such diverse artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Wassily Kandinsky, Sonia Delaunay, Bridget Riley, and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. Drawing on examples through the ages, from ancient times to the present, the many topics covered include flags, synesthesia, theosophy, theater design, film, chromotherapy, and chromophobia. Featuring a new foreword by art writer Kelly Grovier outlining contemporary developments in the study of color and an updated bibliography, this new edition of this classic text offers a wide-ranging and engaging introduction to the place and power of color in life and art. 193 color illustrations

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, Design, History

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Edie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[sare]

Not 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.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concepts on the usage of color