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The Secret Lives of Colour
RADIO 4's BOOK OF THE WEEK
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 20,192 ratings, 1,587 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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See moreThe unforgettable history of colours and the vivid stories behind them in a beautiful multi-coloured volume
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Description
'A mind-expanding tour of the world without leaving your paintbox. Every colour has a story, and here are some of the most alluring, alarming, and thought-provoking. Very hard painting the hallway magnolia after this inspiring primer.' β Simon Garfield
The Secret Lives of Colour tells the unusual stories of the 75 most fascinating shades, dyes, and hues. From blonde to ginger, the brown that changed the way battles were fought to the white that protected against the plague, Picasso's blue period to the charcoal on the cave walls at Lascaux, acid yellow to kelly green, and from scarlet women to imperial purple, these surprising stories run like a bright thread throughout history.
In this book, Kassia St Clair has turned her lifelong obsession with colours and where they come from (whether Van Gogh's chrome yellow sunflowers or punk's fluorescent pink) into a unique study of human civilisation. Across fashion and politics, art and war, The Secret Lives of Colour tells the vivid story of our culture.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair is widely praised for its vibrant exploration into the history and cultural significance of colours. Reviewers highlight its engaging storytelling and unexpected insights, making the subject captivating and informative. The book is also noted for its beautiful design and is recommended for those interested in the intricacies of colour, from artistic to historical contexts.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781473630819
Publisher: John Murray Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 20 October 2016
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 144.0mm
Height: 224.0mm
Weight: 734g
Pages: 320
About the Author
Kassia St Clair studied the history of women's dress and the masquerade during the eighteenth-century at Bristol and Oxford. She has since written about design and culture for the Economist, House & Garden, Quartz and 1843, and has had a column about colour in Elle Decoration since 2013. She lives in London.
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