What do you think?
Rate this book
Colours of Art: The Story of Art in 80 Palettes
Colours of Art takes the reader on a journey through history via 80 carefully curated artworks and their palettes. For these pieces, colour is not only a tool (like a paintbrush or a canvas), but the fundamental secret to their success.
Colour allows artists to express their individuality, evoke certain moods and portray positive or negative subliminal messages. And throughout history, the greatest of artists have experimented with new pigments and new technologies to lead movements and deliver masterpieces. But as something so cardinal, we sometimes forget how poignant colour palettes can be, and how much they can tell us.
When Vermeer painted The Milkmaid, the amount of ultramarine he could use was written in the contract. How did that affect how he used it? When Turner experimented with Indian Yellow, he captured roaring flames that brought his paintings to life. If he had used a more ordinary yellow, would he have created something so extraordinary? And how did Warhol throw away the rulebook to change what colour could achieve?
For the works in this book, colour isn’t just a basic artistic tool, but the critical component to their success. Structured chronologically, Colours of Art provides a fun, intelligent and visually engaging look at the greatest artistic palettes in art history – from Rafael’s use of perspective and Vermeer’s ultramarine, to Andy Warhol’s hot pinks and Lisa Brice’s blue women.
Colours of Art offers a refreshing take on the subject and acts as a primer for artists, designers and art lovers who want to look at art history from a different perspective.
Colour allows artists to express their individuality, evoke certain moods and portray positive or negative subliminal messages. And throughout history, the greatest of artists have experimented with new pigments and new technologies to lead movements and deliver masterpieces. But as something so cardinal, we sometimes forget how poignant colour palettes can be, and how much they can tell us.
When Vermeer painted The Milkmaid, the amount of ultramarine he could use was written in the contract. How did that affect how he used it? When Turner experimented with Indian Yellow, he captured roaring flames that brought his paintings to life. If he had used a more ordinary yellow, would he have created something so extraordinary? And how did Warhol throw away the rulebook to change what colour could achieve?
For the works in this book, colour isn’t just a basic artistic tool, but the critical component to their success. Structured chronologically, Colours of Art provides a fun, intelligent and visually engaging look at the greatest artistic palettes in art history – from Rafael’s use of perspective and Vermeer’s ultramarine, to Andy Warhol’s hot pinks and Lisa Brice’s blue women.
Colours of Art offers a refreshing take on the subject and acts as a primer for artists, designers and art lovers who want to look at art history from a different perspective.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 2, 2022
16 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Chloë Ashby
7 books52 followersChloë Ashby is an author and arts critic who has written for publications such as the Times, TLS, Guardian, FT Life & Arts, Spectator and frieze.
Her first novel, Wet Paint, was published in April 2022, and her second novel, Second Self, followed in July 2023.
She is also the author of Look At This If You Love Great Art (2021) and Colours of Art: The Story of Art in 80 Palettes (2022).
Her first novel, Wet Paint, was published in April 2022, and her second novel, Second Self, followed in July 2023.
She is also the author of Look At This If You Love Great Art (2021) and Colours of Art: The Story of Art in 80 Palettes (2022).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Read
January 28, 2026Crystal clear, instructive and fun to read, this book goes through 80 pieces in the history of art to show how the discovery and availability of certain colors or pigments impacted art choices, and in turn, how certain art movements chose or emphasized particular pigments. Examples covered include: earthen ocher in prehistoric paint, Egyptian blue in tombs, lapis lazuli aquamarine in medieval and Renaissance commissions, gold gilt in biblical scenes and religious altars, black shadows in Baroque painting, Rococo pinks and pastels, vivid hues in Expressionism, the invention of synthetic Prussian blue leading to more generous swathes of blues that now appeared in paintings with skies and seas, and so on. This was an amazing, quick tour of the ages of art that would appeal to amateurs like me.
November 15, 2022
A stunning pictorial journey thru the history of art with an eye towards “the most striking and madcap uses of color throughout the ages.”
Beginning with prehistoric renderings and continuing thru the contemporary, author, Chloe Ashby, chose 80 reasonably well known works/pallets to discuss her subject. Forty-five plus years ago I took an art history class in college that required us to learn 500 slides. Most of Ashby’s selections were in my larger one.
Each painting is presented as a two page spread. One page for the work of art also includes the PALETTE of colors used and 3 COMPLIMENTARY works of art. A few short but info packed paragraphs, Artist, Full name of the piece, Date completed, Dimensions of piece, medium used comprise the second page of the spread. On the edge of the page, Ashby includes tabs from color grid RGB & CMYK.
The book itself is bound as an heavy duty textbook of excellence. Pages are highly varnished and will hold up to much perusing for years to come. It’s not a typical “Coffee Table” book but that adds to the interest and unique draw you’re likely to find.
All things considered, highly giftable for those who enjoy art, history or something a little different📚
Beginning with prehistoric renderings and continuing thru the contemporary, author, Chloe Ashby, chose 80 reasonably well known works/pallets to discuss her subject. Forty-five plus years ago I took an art history class in college that required us to learn 500 slides. Most of Ashby’s selections were in my larger one.
Each painting is presented as a two page spread. One page for the work of art also includes the PALETTE of colors used and 3 COMPLIMENTARY works of art. A few short but info packed paragraphs, Artist, Full name of the piece, Date completed, Dimensions of piece, medium used comprise the second page of the spread. On the edge of the page, Ashby includes tabs from color grid RGB & CMYK.
The book itself is bound as an heavy duty textbook of excellence. Pages are highly varnished and will hold up to much perusing for years to come. It’s not a typical “Coffee Table” book but that adds to the interest and unique draw you’re likely to find.
All things considered, highly giftable for those who enjoy art, history or something a little different📚
August 28, 2022
Artist Palettes Throughout History -- "Colors of Art –The Story of Art in 80 Palettes,” by Artist and Author Chloë Ashby, provides art enthusiasts with a chronology of color palettes popular during each significant historical art movement. It’s a synopsis of world history seen through color and artwork. Ashby explains how geopolitical influences surrounded art styles, artist materials, and pigments.
Since the beginning of time, humans have expressed their artistic creativity on cave walls, papyrus, clay, wooden panels, canvas, and paper with the color pigments they’ve found in the natural world around them—from fire soot, tree resins, crushed insects, plant dyes, and ground rocks and minerals.
Dating from 30,000-28,000 B.C.E., one of the earliest known artworks is a drawing of horses (p. 17) discovered on the walls of Chauvet Cave near Vallon-Pont d’Arc, France. These sketches are vibrant and distinct today, although drawn with rudimentary elements of charcoal, ocher, and hematite on the limestone cave walls.
Another example that I find fascinating is the extensive use of gold and gilt in religious art during the high middle ages demonstrating the magnificence of God and those most holy. The Saint Ansanus Altarpiece of the ‘Annunciation’ in the Cathedral of Siena, Italy, created in 1333 by Simone Martini and Lippo Memmia, (p. 33) shimmers with glittering radiance as Archangel Gabriel delivers news to the Virgin Mary (wearing blue), that she will bear a son, Jesus. Henceforward, artists will depict Mary wearing the symbolic color of heaven—in blue robes.
========================///=======================
Title: “Colors of Art— The Story of Art in 80 Palettes,”
Author: Chloë Ashby
Genre: Arts & Photography | History | Non-Fiction (Adult)
Publication Date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
Reviews are posted promptly on NetGalley, GoodReads, and Twitter; then, upon publication, also to appropriate sales channel sites.
#ColorsofArt @ QuartoPublishingGroupWhiteLion #NetGalley @NetGalley
@TwitterBooks #TwitterBooks @BookRiot #BookRiot @maven_book
My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to NetGalley, Author Chloë Ashby, and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for this Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) for review.
Since the beginning of time, humans have expressed their artistic creativity on cave walls, papyrus, clay, wooden panels, canvas, and paper with the color pigments they’ve found in the natural world around them—from fire soot, tree resins, crushed insects, plant dyes, and ground rocks and minerals.
Dating from 30,000-28,000 B.C.E., one of the earliest known artworks is a drawing of horses (p. 17) discovered on the walls of Chauvet Cave near Vallon-Pont d’Arc, France. These sketches are vibrant and distinct today, although drawn with rudimentary elements of charcoal, ocher, and hematite on the limestone cave walls.
Another example that I find fascinating is the extensive use of gold and gilt in religious art during the high middle ages demonstrating the magnificence of God and those most holy. The Saint Ansanus Altarpiece of the ‘Annunciation’ in the Cathedral of Siena, Italy, created in 1333 by Simone Martini and Lippo Memmia, (p. 33) shimmers with glittering radiance as Archangel Gabriel delivers news to the Virgin Mary (wearing blue), that she will bear a son, Jesus. Henceforward, artists will depict Mary wearing the symbolic color of heaven—in blue robes.
========================///=======================
Title: “Colors of Art— The Story of Art in 80 Palettes,”
Author: Chloë Ashby
Genre: Arts & Photography | History | Non-Fiction (Adult)
Publication Date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
Reviews are posted promptly on NetGalley, GoodReads, and Twitter; then, upon publication, also to appropriate sales channel sites.
#ColorsofArt @ QuartoPublishingGroupWhiteLion #NetGalley @NetGalley
@TwitterBooks #TwitterBooks @BookRiot #BookRiot @maven_book
My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to NetGalley, Author Chloë Ashby, and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for this Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) for review.
August 12, 2022
Colors of Art: The Story of Art in 80 Palettes by Chloë Ashby is a fun, informative, and accessible romp through art (specifically painting) history.
When the biggest complaint about a book is a single word in the title, I think that means it worked for you. I have difficulty with things being called "the" story or history since there is rarely any single such thing. Though that phrasing is in the title there is no sense of such finality in the tone. It is open and readily acknowledges that there were other possibilities to include.
While I really enjoyed the other book by Ashby that I read (Look at This If You Love Great Art) I think I got something completely different from this one. For lack of a better way of putting it, the other gave me new ways to approach or "get into" a work of art. This one uses one important element, color, and shows me how it speaks to everything from the artist's preferences, the patron's demands, what materials are available, and the moods that they can convey.
For those who might be nervous, this is very accessible. Don't worry about matching the palette she offers to the image you're looking at. Between time changing the colors on the works themselves, different reproductions will show different as well as how you're viewing it (monitor resolution, color settings, the actual type of device, etc). Ashby mentions this in her introduction, but the palette still provides a helpful tool as well as a device for allowing a coherent narrative throughout.
While I think those with a solid background in art will appreciate this, it seems to be geared more toward the person who loves art but wants some additional ways to view it besides "I like/dislike it." Even when how some of the paintings have been interpreted are mentioned, it isn't in detail. If the reader is interested, it isn't hard to find more details.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
When the biggest complaint about a book is a single word in the title, I think that means it worked for you. I have difficulty with things being called "the" story or history since there is rarely any single such thing. Though that phrasing is in the title there is no sense of such finality in the tone. It is open and readily acknowledges that there were other possibilities to include.
While I really enjoyed the other book by Ashby that I read (Look at This If You Love Great Art) I think I got something completely different from this one. For lack of a better way of putting it, the other gave me new ways to approach or "get into" a work of art. This one uses one important element, color, and shows me how it speaks to everything from the artist's preferences, the patron's demands, what materials are available, and the moods that they can convey.
For those who might be nervous, this is very accessible. Don't worry about matching the palette she offers to the image you're looking at. Between time changing the colors on the works themselves, different reproductions will show different as well as how you're viewing it (monitor resolution, color settings, the actual type of device, etc). Ashby mentions this in her introduction, but the palette still provides a helpful tool as well as a device for allowing a coherent narrative throughout.
While I think those with a solid background in art will appreciate this, it seems to be geared more toward the person who loves art but wants some additional ways to view it besides "I like/dislike it." Even when how some of the paintings have been interpreted are mentioned, it isn't in detail. If the reader is interested, it isn't hard to find more details.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 21, 2022
This book is a treasure for anyone interested in a history of European painting and the palettes associated with each period. It's not for Art History majors who already know all this, but for others (like me) who love art, it is perfect. There are 80 paintings ranging from prehistoric cave paintings to postmodern work, each illustrating the primary characteristics of each period. Next to each plate is a sort of bar graph with boxes showing the dominant colors used in the painting. Each painting has the story of the artist and how the picture represents or departs from the time in which it was painted. Extremely interesting are the author's essays on how paint has been made over the millennia including which colors were toxic and which were later manufactured without the dangerous ingredients (Prussian Blue is a good example). Theories of color, how we perceive it, and many other important subjects that help us to understand how paintings do what they do and how artists achieve those effects are important parts of the book.
The author's writing is lively and full of fascinating facts. Each artist and each painting is described with a balance between too much information and not enough. Also helpful is the list of at least three similar paintings that resemble the plate in question in significant ways.
The author has chosen more than thirty female artists for this book...several of them not terribly well-known yet except by the aforementioned art majors, and all of them worthy of our attention. This is a delicious book, full of gorgeous color and information that will be new to many of us. Highly recommended.
The author's writing is lively and full of fascinating facts. Each artist and each painting is described with a balance between too much information and not enough. Also helpful is the list of at least three similar paintings that resemble the plate in question in significant ways.
The author has chosen more than thirty female artists for this book...several of them not terribly well-known yet except by the aforementioned art majors, and all of them worthy of our attention. This is a delicious book, full of gorgeous color and information that will be new to many of us. Highly recommended.
May 26, 2024
“Colors of Art” highlights different paintings from Western history and includes with their basic color schemes. The text is accompanied by many lovely pictures. The author gives great descriptions and there are side articles on specific topics planted between the chapters.
Although one finds a few interesting new tidbits, most of the information can be found in other books. There were also errors such as claiming Delacroix was the leader of the Romantics (he would have been furious at even being called a Romantic). And the dramatic suicide of Van Gogh stated as fact has recently been disputed.
One of my gripes is that Ashby selected pictures and periods based on personal preferences rather than on the survey the title suggests. She disses the mannerist period (which I think has some of the most interesting colors and color combinations in art) simply because she doesn’t like it (with no explanation as to why it’s colors are so unique).
In perhaps her most major crime, she jumps from classical Greek to the late 13th century. This avoided about 1000 years of paintings, including those on Roman walls and in Medieval manuscripts. Both featured exceptional palettes. She also neglected the baroque. How can you talk about color without even showing a Rubens?
Kudos for featuring so many women artists. In addition to giving them a previously neglected nod, it showcases some unfamiliar examples. However, much as I liked some of these selection, such as the one illustrating the pre-Raphaelites, it was atypical and it told us little about the movement. This is a general problem with the book. She tries to find little shown pieces, but as a result doesn’t show us the significant ones.
If you are new to art history and can overlook its flaws, this is a lovely and informative book. However, readers with more experience on these topics may be less impressed.
Although one finds a few interesting new tidbits, most of the information can be found in other books. There were also errors such as claiming Delacroix was the leader of the Romantics (he would have been furious at even being called a Romantic). And the dramatic suicide of Van Gogh stated as fact has recently been disputed.
One of my gripes is that Ashby selected pictures and periods based on personal preferences rather than on the survey the title suggests. She disses the mannerist period (which I think has some of the most interesting colors and color combinations in art) simply because she doesn’t like it (with no explanation as to why it’s colors are so unique).
In perhaps her most major crime, she jumps from classical Greek to the late 13th century. This avoided about 1000 years of paintings, including those on Roman walls and in Medieval manuscripts. Both featured exceptional palettes. She also neglected the baroque. How can you talk about color without even showing a Rubens?
Kudos for featuring so many women artists. In addition to giving them a previously neglected nod, it showcases some unfamiliar examples. However, much as I liked some of these selection, such as the one illustrating the pre-Raphaelites, it was atypical and it told us little about the movement. This is a general problem with the book. She tries to find little shown pieces, but as a result doesn’t show us the significant ones.
If you are new to art history and can overlook its flaws, this is a lovely and informative book. However, readers with more experience on these topics may be less impressed.
August 5, 2022
Those who love painting, color and art history are sure to delight in this book. Both readers who know a great deal about art history and those coming to this title out of curiosity will find much to enjoy here.
In her introduction, the author invites the reader to think about color. This includes imagining a world without it and also the many ways in which we take the colors that are seen each day for granted. Color and painting are inextricably intertwined. Artists choose their colors from the materials that are available to them in their historical period and are also influenced by their favorites or the demands of their patrons as Ms Ashby notes. It is fascinating to look at the results in these individual works and to admire the ways in which they were painted.
The book moves chronologically, beginning with the well known horse paintings that were found in a French cave long ago and ending in the modern day. For each work, there are a collection of swaths of the colors in the work and a high quality reproduction of the piece.
This is a book with which a reader could spend many hours. It can be read in chronological order or dipped into. Either way it is a worthwhile title filled with the sensibility of the author who provides this curated tour.
I received this book as an electronic advanced reader’s copy. I like it enough to want to purchase the book when it is published.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion, Frances Lincoln Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 30 August 2022
In her introduction, the author invites the reader to think about color. This includes imagining a world without it and also the many ways in which we take the colors that are seen each day for granted. Color and painting are inextricably intertwined. Artists choose their colors from the materials that are available to them in their historical period and are also influenced by their favorites or the demands of their patrons as Ms Ashby notes. It is fascinating to look at the results in these individual works and to admire the ways in which they were painted.
The book moves chronologically, beginning with the well known horse paintings that were found in a French cave long ago and ending in the modern day. For each work, there are a collection of swaths of the colors in the work and a high quality reproduction of the piece.
This is a book with which a reader could spend many hours. It can be read in chronological order or dipped into. Either way it is a worthwhile title filled with the sensibility of the author who provides this curated tour.
I received this book as an electronic advanced reader’s copy. I like it enough to want to purchase the book when it is published.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion, Frances Lincoln Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 30 August 2022
August 24, 2022
Colors of Art by Chloë Ashby is a new book about painting and colour.
In this book, Ashby discusses the ways that painting and colours have changed through many paintings. They do this in a roughly chronological order, allowing the reader to easily tell the evolution.
I really liked this book. The information about each painting was concise but informative, and there are also pages scattered throughout that go more in depth about a certain subject, such as the invention of paint tubes. I also like how there is a mix of more well known and less well known paintings. This introduces the reader to new art while also getting to learn more about their favourite paintings. Lastly, the picked paintings are inclusionary. Ashby makes sure to pick artists of different genders, ethnicities, sexualities, and so on.
I feel like this book could have been expanded more. I also would have loved it if there was a list under each painting of other paintings that artist did, so the reader can expand their knowledge of the artist as well.
In conclusion, I think this was a great introductory book to different movements in painting. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn a little about them.
Thank you to White Lion for this ARC on NetGalley.
In this book, Ashby discusses the ways that painting and colours have changed through many paintings. They do this in a roughly chronological order, allowing the reader to easily tell the evolution.
I really liked this book. The information about each painting was concise but informative, and there are also pages scattered throughout that go more in depth about a certain subject, such as the invention of paint tubes. I also like how there is a mix of more well known and less well known paintings. This introduces the reader to new art while also getting to learn more about their favourite paintings. Lastly, the picked paintings are inclusionary. Ashby makes sure to pick artists of different genders, ethnicities, sexualities, and so on.
I feel like this book could have been expanded more. I also would have loved it if there was a list under each painting of other paintings that artist did, so the reader can expand their knowledge of the artist as well.
In conclusion, I think this was a great introductory book to different movements in painting. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn a little about them.
Thank you to White Lion for this ARC on NetGalley.
September 16, 2022
This was such a brilliant book. I couldn't put it down as it held my interest and attention throughout. It was a very interesting and unique way at looking at art that worked so well. Rather than just looking at art through type or time the author looks at the pieces based on the colours explaining how the colours were made and who started using them. The book is still in chronological order but it fascinating looking at the development of each colour. Not only do you see the block colours down the sides but each one has that colours number. There was great text about the painters and the piece of artwork. I love that after each picture the author suggests 3 other paints the would accompany the art work which I just had to Google to see and compare this gave me an even deeper knowledge. Everything just worked perfectly and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I definitely recommend this book to all art fans or those who want to learn. It helped me see art in a different light and helped me learn so much. It was beautifully wrote that I definitely will be looking out for more books by this clearly talented author.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this fascinating book that I love so very much.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this fascinating book that I love so very much.
September 20, 2022
"Colors of Art: The Story of Art in 80 Palettes" by Chloe Ashby is a uniquely presentation of the history of art. Via the use of 80 art works, Ashby provides a fast-paced tour through art history, with a focus on the colors used in each painting. That's a different approach that, for me, was new and engaging. The book is broken into twelve chapters, and each chapter has 1 or 2 articles about specific topics relating to color interspersed with the various artwork covered in the chapter. I personally am partial to artwork covering ancient art all the way up to the start of the 20th century. After that, my interest wanes. Modern art really has to be unique to grab my attention. It has to tell a story that pulls me in, like art from the time-periods I like.
An interesting aspect of this book that I appreciated was the fact that, with each artwork, Ashby provides 3 complementary artworks that can be viewed. I think that it was beneficial to be able to have those extra pieces to reference to. So for one who is a serious student of art history or just an armchair art aficionado, this is definitely the book to read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Chloe Ashby, and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
An interesting aspect of this book that I appreciated was the fact that, with each artwork, Ashby provides 3 complementary artworks that can be viewed. I think that it was beneficial to be able to have those extra pieces to reference to. So for one who is a serious student of art history or just an armchair art aficionado, this is definitely the book to read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Chloe Ashby, and Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
September 15, 2022
What a lovely way to look at art! Chloe Ashby invites the reader to think about colour and has chosen 80 paintings that represent how artists have used colour throughout history. From the earthy pigments in cave paintings to twentieth century minimalism, Ashby explores development of pigments, colour palettes, moods, and art styles.
Alongside each painting, Ashby picks out its dominant colours and these are beautifully reproduced as colour palettes. I loved this approach, it made me think about the paintings in new and fresh ways. Great for inspiration. It’s also an accessible book and one that you can return to again and again, especially if (like me) you’re embarking on decorating or other creative projects.
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Colours of Art
Alongside each painting, Ashby picks out its dominant colours and these are beautifully reproduced as colour palettes. I loved this approach, it made me think about the paintings in new and fresh ways. Great for inspiration. It’s also an accessible book and one that you can return to again and again, especially if (like me) you’re embarking on decorating or other creative projects.
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Colours of Art
August 29, 2022
“Color is a Language like any other. Throughout art history, it has been charged with meaning.” (Pg. 29)
Color, Art, and History all in one book. A beautiful look into color and how artists throughout history used certain color palettes to highlight mood, emotions and their talent. Chloë Ashby showcases color in a new light through her new book.
Any designer, artist of any median, art history lover or curious individual will love this book. I recommend it to everyone, from an art history teacher for their students to someone sitting in a cafe.
This ARC was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Color, Art, and History all in one book. A beautiful look into color and how artists throughout history used certain color palettes to highlight mood, emotions and their talent. Chloë Ashby showcases color in a new light through her new book.
Any designer, artist of any median, art history lover or curious individual will love this book. I recommend it to everyone, from an art history teacher for their students to someone sitting in a cafe.
This ARC was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2025
Didn't quite make it through before I had to return my library copy, unfortunately, because this is a really pretty coffee table book. I think it'd make a great gift for artists or designers because each painting is accompanied by a color palette that could serve as a convenient reference. The title should probably have the word "Western" in front of "Art" because it's all work from the Western art canon. The text was slightly too descriptive for my taste (I have eyes) but the images make it easy to spend hours perusing.
October 14, 2024
Es un libro increíble, me ha descubierto cantidad de artistas, estilos y por supuesto, colores. Las paletas y los tonos de este libro son una delicia. Me ha gustado poder ir de aquí para allá por el libro para servirme de guía en mis trabajos de la universidad, sin duda lo recomiendo muchísimo a tod@s aquell@s que quieren ampliar su catálogo artístico y aprender detalles y curiosidades de los taaaaan diferentes estilos que hay aquí.
August 1, 2023
This is a fun and informative history of art as it relates to color. Each page highlights a famous work of art and the color palate that was used to paint it. Discussion centers around “new” colors and paint types, as well as the geographic origin of color invention. I enjoyed the beautiful layout of the pages even if it didn’t really explore many new depths of the art itself.
May 4, 2024
Loved this book! Amazing overarching explanation of colors used in paintings at different times from cave paintings to the present. Also loved that she included women artists I’d never heard of, which of course is because of our male centric art history. I found myself looking up lots of these artists online to learn more.
August 16, 2025
Absolutely fanfic book! The format is amazing. I loved everything about it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews