Color

A Natural History of the Palette

By: Victoria Finlay

Narrated by: Victoria Finlay

Length: 15 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In this vivid and captivating journey through the colors of an artist’s palette, Victoria Finlay takes us on an enthralling adventure around the world and through the ages, illuminating how the colors we choose to value have determined the history of culture itself.

How did the most precious color blue travel all the way from remote lapis mines in Afghanistan to Michelangelo’s brush? What is the connection between brown paint and ancient Egyptian mummies? Why did Robin Hood wear Lincoln green? In Color, Finlay explores the physical materials that color our world, such as precious minerals and insect blood, as well as the social and political meanings that color has carried through time.

Roman emperors used to wear togas dyed with a purple color that was made from an odorous Lebanese shellfish—which probably meant their scent preceded them. In the eighteenth century, black dye was called logwood and grew along the Spanish Main. Some of the first indigo plantations were started in America, amazingly enough, by a seventeen-year-old girl named Eliza. And the popular van Gogh painting White Roses at Washington’s National Gallery had to be renamed after a researcher discovered that the flowers were originally done in a pink paint that had faded nearly a century ago. Color is full of extraordinary people, events, and anecdotes—painted all the more dazzling by Finlay’s engaging style.

Embark upon a thrilling adventure with this intrepid journalist as she travels on a donkey along ancient silk trade routes; with the Phoenicians sailing the Mediterranean in search of a special purple shell that garners wealth, sustenance, and prestige; with modern Chilean farmers breeding and bleeding insects for their viscous red blood. The colors that craft our world have never looked so bright.

©2002 Victoria Finlay (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This is a rare and wonderful book–a model of erudition and charm, the writing elegant and precise, and with at least one new and fascinating revelation on every single page. I could not be more enthusiastic.”–SIMON WINCHESTER, Author of The Professor and the Madman

“Until I read this book, I was colorblind.”–CYNTHIA ROWLEY 

A lovely walk though colours and where they were found throughout history. I will listen to this again.

Historical and personal information combined to make an interesting story. I will listen to this again.

amazing

Loved it, wish there was multiple volumes. It is intriguing beyond imagination and I am sure there was plenty more to share. I am now on my personal journey to learn MORE.
Thank you!

Beautiful, Rich, Fascinating

This is a fascinating book. The research is incredible. It’s a travel book, a historical and scientific account, and a memoir of color, all in one. Highly recommend it.

This book is wonderful!

I just finished listening to the audiobook “Color”. I absolutely loved it. It was a perfect companion while painting. A fascinating exploration of the history of and stories behind the pigments paired with a trip around the world! The author reading added to the awesomeness!

A scrumptious, colorful adventure. Must read

Fabulous. Read this book if you love adventure, history, anthropology, have eyes, do not have eyes, want to fall deeply in nerd love with a subject or be fascinating at dinner parties

Held my attention

I listened to this whole book while painting. It’s got a nice combination of storytelling and facts.

New favorite book

The stories, descriptions, history and tranquil yet enthusiastic voice of the narrator made this a MUST. I will listen to it again as I loved it so much. I didn’t expect ‘Color’ to capture and captivate my imagination… but I now want to see so many more things with my own eyes: maybe the frosted iceberg blues creaking and cracking or the great art with splashes of paints on canvases described so lovingly. Will gladly listen to the textile and jewels book as well.

Well Researched

Just as good as her book Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World. Color is a worthy read if you're an artist or not. Part history, part travelogue, she takes you on an enjoyable ride with her through the history of colors.

Interesting survey of one woman search for the source of the rainbow!

Well written and well narrated, this is a great break from sensational fiction or dry dull science.

Vibrant Learning

I enjoyed the lively tales of the hues. It’s a great account of historic happenings set to the tune our human desire for color. What a drive for control and stratification of the social order. Fantastic insight.