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A review by shelasher
Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay
3.5
3.5 ish stars.
This book is for anyone in design or craft professions. 3/4 of the book was very interesting anecdotal information about the origins and history of dyes. My most interesting take away was the differentiation between art and craft. The book took a superficial dive into the progression from which artists were both material and medium crafters of their own art to the slow commercialization of colors and pigments as a whole.
I liked learning the stories of pigment origins and usages and this book really serves as one of those books where you will be able to pull out anecdotal and conversational fun facts in future conversations.
The ways in which this book didn't deliver were 1. There was a lot of guesswork and hypothetical perspectives. The book would have benefitted from some clear delineation of what is known about these origin stories and what is not. 2. The book chapters were far too long and my interest waned, the author would have benefitted from a more heavy handed editor.
Overall some really interesting information, I am happy I read it.
This book is for anyone in design or craft professions. 3/4 of the book was very interesting anecdotal information about the origins and history of dyes. My most interesting take away was the differentiation between art and craft. The book took a superficial dive into the progression from which artists were both material and medium crafters of their own art to the slow commercialization of colors and pigments as a whole.
I liked learning the stories of pigment origins and usages and this book really serves as one of those books where you will be able to pull out anecdotal and conversational fun facts in future conversations.
The ways in which this book didn't deliver were 1. There was a lot of guesswork and hypothetical perspectives. The book would have benefitted from some clear delineation of what is known about these origin stories and what is not. 2. The book chapters were far too long and my interest waned, the author would have benefitted from a more heavy handed editor.
Overall some really interesting information, I am happy I read it.