The Secret Lives of Colour cover art

The Secret Lives of Colour

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The Secret Lives of Colour

By: Kassia St Clair
Narrated by: Kassia St Clair
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About this listen

The Secret Lives of Colour tells the unusual stories of the 75 most fascinating shades, dyes and hues. From blonde to ginger, the brown that changed the way battles were fought to the white that protected against the plague, Picasso's blue period to the charcoal on the cave walls at Lascaux, acid yellow to kelly green and from scarlet women to imperial purple, these surprising stories run like a bright thread throughout history.

In this book Kassia St Clair has turned her lifelong obsession with colours and where they come from (whether Van Gogh's chrome yellow sunflowers or punk's fluorescent pink) into a unique study of human civilisation. Across fashion and politics, art and war, The Secret Lives of Colour tell the vivid story of our culture.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our Desktop Site.

©2016 Kassia St Clair (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd Art War

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Critic reviews

"A mind-expanding tour of the world without leaving your paintbox. Every colour has a story, and here are some of the most alluring, alarming, and thought-provoking. Very hard painting the hallway magnolia after this inspiring primer." (Simon Garfield)

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Riveting from start to finish, listened to it whilst I paint. Made me think twice about using certain colours!

Informative quirky and interesting

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I learned a lot about colours and why we observe them the way we do. Great easy read

Really interesting

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really interesting and insightful. it's written in a way that's engaging but easily listened to, and the author/narrator has a really nice flow. so many interesting facts from this and a lovely addition to any previous art history knowledge

excellent

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I really enjoyed hearing the history and origins of colours. It got a little repetitive after a while, but I listened to it all over just a few days.

Really insightful

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Pick any colour.... You will find its provenance here. Very well researched and delivered. With a good description of each colour. The short stories attached, gave each hue greater understanding.

More a reference book

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I loved this book. Fascinating stories about colours but in relation to art and culture. The only bad thing was that it wasn’t long enough. I hope there is another book with more stories.

Incredibly informative, entertaining and beautifully read.

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Really well researched, written and read. There's so much more to colour than just colour!! So much interesting history. Very calming listening.

super interesting

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Loved the details about the production of pigments combined with interesting aspects of their use and symbolism in different contexts.

Fantastic history of pigments presented in a captivating way.

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Smooth and really interesting listening. Many historical facts about Colours. I do really recommend this audiobook

Very intriguing

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Very informative and interesting on every colour and shade alike. Gives the history from discovery to what it became famous for, how the colours were made for painting and dyes. Where the colour originated and who claimed discovery.

Very informative

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