Colour: A Masterclass

An illustrated guide to the history and symbolism of colours, as used in artworks throughout the ages, from prehistory to the present day.

Colour: A Masterclass demonstrates how colour, which has the power to impart meaning or express emotion, has fascinated humans for millennia. This comprehensive, illustrated guide reveals how colour has been used in art through different periods, cultures, and artistic movements. Explore the evolution of colour from the black, red, and white pigments in prehistoric cave paintings to the muted tones of Gabonese Punu masks rich with spiritual significance, and from Andy Warhol's flashy hues in Gold Marilyn Monroe to the signature "outrenoir" (beyond black) of the late Pierre Soulages.

This international history of colour spans over thirty major periods in art, elucidating their characteristics, key works, and exponents. It examines the symbolism attributed to specific colours and how these associations have transformed over time. Among the highlighted works are the explosive light of Joseph Mallord William Turner's Light and Colour (Goethe's Theory), the vibrant intensity in Monet's Impression, Sunrise, and the acidulous tones of David Hockney's My Parents.

A final chapter delves into the materials and techniques used to achieve chromatic effects. With extensive cross-references, this accessible guide invites readers to delve deeper into specific movements, themes, or techniques, providing an enlightening and polychromatic overview of the history of colour in art.