“It is society that ‘makes’ color, defines it, gives it its meaning. “A color is a social phenomenon,” writes Pastoureau.

The United Nations, UNESCO and European Union have all chosen blue for their flag. It is reassuring and breeds hope and trust. Michel Pastoureau 4.15 322 ratings35 reviews In this beautiful and richly illustrated book, the acclaimed author of Blue and Black presents a fascinating and revealing history of the color green in European societies from prehistoric times to today. Nowadays, of course, blue conjures images of the azure sky, an inviting sea, and it expresses feelings of tranquility, serenity and peace. Whereas the Romans believed that blue was barbaric and that bright blue eyes were ugly. Michel Pastoureau is a historian and director of studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études de la Sorbonne in Paris. The Egyptians, and other peoples of Central Asia and the Middle East, however, considered blue to be a lucky color it chased evil away and brought prosperity. It was not even used in painting to depict the sky, which was commonly colored white, red or gold. Blue also played an insignificant role in the European culture of the Middle Ages. Reds, blacks, browns and all shades of ochre are common, but blues and greens are conspicuously absent, and the use of white is also rare. One of the most surprising facts in the book is that blue does not even feature in the earliest primitive cave paintings. Essentially a monochromatic work, using Klein’s patented ultramarine “International Klein Blue,” it conveys a sense of the infinite and creates a magical effect, drawing the reader into its unique and unforgettable shade, just as Pastoureau’s writing draws you into his book. Original, entertaining and enlightening, “Blue” - translated from its original French - is also beautifully illustrated.įrench artist Yves Klein’s “Blue Sponge Relief” is a brilliant choice for the back cover. Michel Pastoureau’s captivating history of the world’s most popular color reveals blue’s ever-changing cultural role from prehistoric times to the modern day.

Michel pastoureau blue