Chromatopia - A history of colour

Did you know that the Egyptians created the first synthetic color and used it to create the famous blue crown of Queen Nefertiti? Or that the noblest purple comes from a predatory sea snail? In the Roman Empire, hundreds of thousands of snails had to be sacrificed to produce a single ounce of dye. Throughout history, pigments have been made from deadly metals, poisonous minerals, urine, cow dung, and even crushed insects. From grinding down beetles and burning animal bones to alchemy and pure luck, Chromatopia reveals the origin stories behind over fifty of history’s most vivid color pigments.

David Coles is the founder and head paint-maker of Langridge Artist Colours, one of the world’s most respected makers of artists’ oil paints. With over two decades’ experience, he is widely respected within the artist community and is regularly a guest lecturer at leading art colleges.

You will have seen Langridge Artist colours in store - we are the only Tasmanian stockists of their full range of oil paints, mediums and pigments. We will also be stocking this incredibly informative and beautiful book.