Kassia St. Clair, “The Secret Lives of Color.” New York: Penguin Books. 2016.
Have you read Kassia St. Clair’s book “The Secret Lives of Color” yet? If not, you are in for a treat! You can see how worn my copy is, dirtied from frequent referencing. This is one of my absolute favorite books ever. You can use it as an encyclopedia for learning about the “life” of a specific color, or completely throw yourself into “Secret Lives” as a non-fiction book (filled with art historical references) - touching on global history, economics, color psychology, Buddhist symbolism, Medieval dyes, ancient Roman religious beliefs, the occult, the Industrial Revolution, the Impressionists, fashion, Pop Art and so much more.
Pick a shade, any shade. Cerulean? St. Clair’s got it. Scarlet? She’s got it. Naples Yellow? Got it. Flourescent pink?… Indigo? Verdigris? Check. 75 shades in all, their stories elucidated within a brief 2-4 page chapters, revealing the fascinating histories (and often the science/or technologies) behind them. Kassia St. Clair’s extensive research, witty concise writing, and generous anecdotes transport us through place and time, connecting the dots in meaningful and entertaining ways and making this book a most unexpected page-tuner - for artists, art lovers, the art curious, and truly anyone who appreciates good storytelling.
I give “Secret Lives” 6 out of 5 stars. You heard me, and I dare you to open upon any chapter and not find rich factual nuggets of information conveyed in the most memorable ways.