Colour : making and using dyes and pigments

The science of pigments, hues, and dyes has a long and ancient history.

From the 40000-years-old caves at Lascaux and the medieval cloth trade that enriched Europe to the synthetic chemistry of modern times, colour making has had a central place in our lives.

This book surveys the history of dyes and pigments, the invention of new colours, and the industries that fuelled them.

It explores colouring and dyeing methods through history and asks questions relating to this, such as: what were the colours of Ancient Egypt?; what did artists use to paint their magnificent frescoes?; where do indigo and ochre come from?; why is purple the colour of royalty?; what are pastels?; how many colours are their?; why do we dye our food?; who invented ink?; what are white and black made of?; and what is the symbolism of yellow?

This comprehensive text offers information and insights into many colours ranging from cerise to heliotrope, and gamboge to periwinkle.