Synopsis: A wide ranging and engaging exploration of the history of colour in art.

Review: This is a scholarly yet accessible book which explores colour through art rather than science. Though it is not a book for teachers, nor students, it would be a useful addition to a sixth form library as a general text for those interested in critical and contextual studies.

The Book  is organised into eight chapters which look at different aspects of colour, from psychology to language. There are some technical and scientific explorations which can be quite dense and hard to understand, but these are short. Overall the book is clear and very interesting. At each point the author illustrates his themes with painting and sculptures, and it is fascinating to the art teacher to look again with fresh understanding at such art class staples as the colour wheel, or colour field paintings. There is also a detailed glossary.

 It is not, by any means, an art room essential. However, in schools which are teaching a lot of art theory or art history, it would be a useful text for AS and A2 students. It would be best used by an experienced teacher who could take extracts from it and use it to supplement wider themes. And many art teachers will find it interesting for themselves, rather than as a teaching aid!

2007-09-15