This is a special book. The history of colours interwoven with stories of heroines and antiheroines, fallen generals that may have been poisoned and queens that were executed, each chapter is rich with the intriguing back story of each colour, gorgeously printed in a vertical strip on each page.

We were first introduced to this book from a newsletter from Stuart Semple, the multidisciplinary British artist otherwise known as (or perhaps, the self-proclaimed) Robin Hood of Colour.

Be intrigued by the extreme luxury of Ultramarine, derived from the mined blue stone called Lapis, and the cheaper, synthetic substitute in Cobalt blue.

Rediscover Scarlet and Vermilion, and be regaled by the stories of arsenic-laden Scheele's green.

Enjoy this extremely enriching book. Makes for a great gift, too.

HOW TO PURCHASE: AMAZON

LEAD-IN IMAGE

Book Cover, The Secret Lives of Color, Kassia St. Clair, Penguin Books