The Brilliant History of Color in Art

Victoria Finlay

Take an exciting journey from the Ice Age to the Digital Age in this globe-spanning story of color in art.

“Amazing.”
—The Huffington Post

“This fascinating history of color in art is a real page turner.”
—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Enduring entertainment for the curious mind.”
—New York Journal of Books

What if the colors in a painting could tell you a story—about empires, accidents, and the science behind every brushstroke? The Brilliant History of Color in Art by acclaimed writer and journalist Victoria Finlay traces the journey of iconic pigments from ancient cave art to Renaissance wonders to modern masterpieces. Richly illustrated with 166 full-color artworks, this visually stunning volume blends history, art, and science—perfect for art lovers, students, and curious readers alike.

Inside You’ll Discover:

• The royal secret behind purple: How Cleopatra helped turn purple into the color of power, and why it still shapes culture today.
• Napoleon and the pencil: The unexpected chain of events linking an emperor to one of every artist’s essential tools.
• The mystery of Indian yellow: How mango-fed cows produced one of history’s most luminous, and controversial, pigments.
• The color that caught forgers: How cobalt blue helped expose fake Vermeer's that deceived the world’s top museums.

Whether you are a lifelong art enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or searching for a memorable gift, The Brilliant History of Color in Art offers a fresh way to see the world. Discover the stories hidden in every hue—and experience art in a whole new light.

Victoria Finlay is the author of Color: A Natural History of the Palette and Jewels: A Secret History. She was formerly arts editor at the South China Morning Post.

Best Art Book of 2014
The Huffington Post

“This colorful volume tells the stories of the major colors in the artist's palette throughout history, from ultramarine to madder red to modern colors, like chrome yellow. Perfect for the student of art or art history, or aspiring or accomplished artist.”
—Seattle Times

“Victoria Finlay’s The Brilliant History of Color in Art is a global, historical journey into the origins and science of color. Ever wondered how the first color photograph was created? Where the Lascaux cave painters got their dyes? Or why we call small dots of digital color ‘pixels’? Finlay’s lucid stories are accompanied by gorgeously reprinted art from many of the greatest artists of all time.”
—Zocalo Public Square

“A cracking good read.”
—Fine Art Connoisseur

"Beautifully illustrated with examples, mostly drawn from the collections of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and rich with lesser-known anecdotes from art history, the book succeeds perfectly in walking a fine line between the educational and the entertaining to deliver a wholly satisfying and stimulating perspective. It will please new and veteran artists, those interested in historical tidbits, and newcomers to the field.”
—Library Journal

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128 pages
9 x 10 1/4 inches
166 color illustrations
ISBN 978-1-60606-429-0
hardcover

Getty Publications
Imprint: J. Paul Getty Museum

2014