Description
In the late 18th century, the eminent mineralogist and geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner created a textbook on mineralogy that included a color scheme, which allowed him to describe even the subtlest of chromatic differences with consistent terminology. A few decades later, art teacher and flower painter Patrick Syme encountered Werner’s work and set out to create a series of color charts based on his original names and descriptions. The result was
Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours
, originally published in Edinburgh in 1814. The world’s first taxonomy of the colors of the natural world, this book of thirteen palettes and over one hundred color swatches became a valuable tool for artists, anthropologists, scientists and naturalists at the time — including Charles Darwin, who references Werner’s terminology throughout his descriptions of the flora and fauna he encountered during his seminal voyage on the
HMS Beagle
. Thanks to the existence of Werner’s guide, Darwin was able to write precise yet lyrical accounts that allowed his readers to accurately envision his findings and imagine in rich detail a world they would likely never see — something particularly useful in that pre-photographic era. A charming facsimile of that original work, this pocket-sized version of
Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours
is perfect for bringing a bit of old-world charm to your book collection — or a great gift to the art, history or science-lover in your life.
by Patrick Syme
hardcover
52 pages
Dimensions:
5.75"W x .5"D x 9.25"H
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