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Chromatopia

Coles David

2018240 pagesabout 4–6 hours
2018
first published
  • 2018Thames & Hudson Australia Pty, Limited · 240 pages · ENGISBN 9781760760021

Did you know that the Egyptians created the first synthetic colour; or that the noblest purple comes from a predatory sea snail? Throughout history, artist pigments have been made from deadly metals, poisonous minerals, urine, cow dung, and even crushed insects. From grinding down beetles and burning animal bones to alchemy and serendipity,Chromatopia reveals the origin stories of over 50 of history's most extraordinary pigments.Spanning the ancient world to modern leaps in technology, this is a book for the artist, the history buff, the science lover and the design fanatic.

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