The author travelled the world in search of the origins of pigments and dyes. The result is this idiosyncratic book which is part art history, part a dissertation on the appeal that different colours have and have had for human beings. First published in 2002 by Hodder, the Folio edition is hardly a bedside book, the text and illustrations being entirely printed on heavy art paper, but it is full of unexpected and quirky historical anecdotes and travel reminiscences from all over the world. ( )

A very readable story of one woman's quest to learn the stories of the old dyes and pigments. In the process she uncovered the rise and fall of whole industries, cities built on a particular color, lives focused on a color. She also reveals the meanings and significance these various colors have had within cultures then and now. In many cases finding the stories involved a difficult wild goose chase. Surprising to discover that colors had an impact on trade and power approaching that of spices until the advent of synthetic colors. ( )

This book is more than just insightful and informative: it's delightful to read! Victoria Finlay combines great talent for writing, a wonderful sensitivity and respect for the people she meets, and exciting travels. A must read for any nerd! ( )

Finaly’s treatise on the origins of all the colors in the pigment wheel is magnificent. It is a mixture of scholarly research and personal interviews. It reads as if the script to a wonderful documentary, with interludes from current scientists and historians, excerpts from diaries, and personal stories of her methods of pigment production. While it sometimes fails to find an answer to some questions, it leaves the reader curious to explore every color he sees. ( )

Victoria Finlay already gained one big fan when I first read her Jewels: A Secret History. This book preceded Jewels although the style is the same - part travelogue, part history. The author gets to travel the world over to search out the source and stories behind colour pigments, meeting fascinating people along the way. I was naturally fascinated to read about the gemstones like malachite and lapis lazuli which were once used as pigments. But the references to jewels are minimal but this should not detract from what is a most enjoyable read. ( )

One of the fastest, best non-fiction reads. I wish there had been more chapters, looking at more colors and facets of art and social history. ( )

A very interesting idea for a book - tracing the origins of the pigments and dyes used throughout history (before the relatively recent implementation of synthetic petroleum-based pigments). In theory, this book shouldn't really appeal to me - I'm not a big non-fiction reader in general, and I know little to nothing about art or art history. Still, I thought that this book was really engaging and interesting. It's formated as a cross between a pop-sci book on pigments and a travelogue as the author searches out the historical sources and artifacts of these colors (and disappointingly doesn't ever crack the mystery in some cases). The writing is much more conversational than scholarly, and its only real organization is the chapter format (by color) - frequent digressions into interesting but tangential trivia are common. Still, it's engaging and easy to follow. At times I wanted more technical detail, more chemistry on why the colors look the way the do, why they fade, why they can only come from one species of snail or one delicate flower. Though, of course, had I wanted a more technical book, I'm sure I could have found one. This one introduced me to a bunch of interesting history, art, and trivia I never would have known about otherwise, and I really enjoyed it for that. ( )

The material is fascinating enough to make the rather plodding writing worth following. The author clearly has passion for the subject, but somehow this gets lost in the rather dry prose. It could have been so much better. ( )

I've been meaning to read this book for ages, since I first found it in a bookstore, and I wasn't disappointed. There were times when I wanted more continuity, and more references so I could pursue some of the stories on my own, but in general a wonderful read with fascinating facts and imaginings that connect to the history of empire, of art, of psychology, of food and of cultural survival. Stories about Aboriginal art in Australia and the purple skirts worn by women in the Andes will particularly stay with me. ( )

Victoria Finlay, a Hong Kong-based arts journalist, travels around the world to discover the origins and nature, both physical and social, of the substances that make up the colours in the classic artist's palette.

A must-read for anyone who enjoys art history.