First published in 1814 & expanded in 1821 Syme's edition of 'Werner's Nomenclature of Colours' attempted to establish a universal color reference system to help identify, classify and represent species from the natural world. Werner's set of 54 color standards was enhanced by Patrick Syme with the addition of color swatches and further references from nature, taking the total number of hues classified to 110. The resulting resource proved invaluable not only to artists but also to zoologists, botanists, mineralogists and ...
Read More
First published in 1814 & expanded in 1821 Syme's edition of 'Werner's Nomenclature of Colours' attempted to establish a universal color reference system to help identify, classify and represent species from the natural world. Werner's set of 54 color standards was enhanced by Patrick Syme with the addition of color swatches and further references from nature, taking the total number of hues classified to 110. The resulting resource proved invaluable not only to artists but also to zoologists, botanists, mineralogists and anatomists. In 'Nature's Palette' this technicolour trove has, for the first time, been enhanced with the addition of illustrations of the animals, vegetables and minerals Werner referenced alongside each color swatch and accompanied by expert text explaining the uses and development of color standards in relation to zoology, botany, minerology and anatomy. This fully realized color catalog includes elegant contemporary illustrations of every animal, plant or mineral that Syme cited. Readers can see for themselves Tile Red in the Cock Bullfinch's breast, Shrubby Pimpernel and Porcelain Jasper; or admire the Berlin Blue that Syme identified on the wing feathers of a Jay, in the Hepatica flower and in Blue Sapphire. Displays of contemporary collector's cabinets of birds, butterflies, eggs, flowers and minerals are interspersed at intervals throughout the compendium, with individual specimens color matched to color swatches. Still a much-loved reference among artists, naturalists and everyone fascinated by color today, 'Werner's Nomenclature of Colours' finds its fullest expression in this beautiful and comprehensive color reference system.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. A gorgeous expanded edition of Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, a landmark reference book on color and its origins in nature. First published in 1814, Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a taxonomically organized guide to color in the natural world. Compiled by German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner, the book was expanded and enhanced in 1821 by Patrick Syme, who added color swatches and further color descriptions, bringing the total number of classified hues to 110. The resulting resource has been invaluable not only to artists and designers but also to zoologists, botanists, mineralogists, anatomists, and explorers, including Charles Darwin on the famous voyage of the Beagle. Nature's Palette makes this remarkable volume available to today's readers, and is now fully enhanced with new illustrations of all the animals, plants, and minerals Werner referenced alongside each color swatch. Readers can see 'tile red' in a piece of porcelain jasper, the breast of a cock bullfinch, or a Shrubby Pimpernel. They can admire 'Berlin blue' on a piece of sapphire, the Hepatica flower, or the wing feathers of a jay. Interspersed throughout the book are lavish feature pages displaying cases of taxidermy, eggs, shells, feathers, minerals, and butterflies, with individual specimens cross-referenced to the core catalog. Featuring contributions by leading natural history experts along with more than 1, 000 color illustrations and eight gatefolds, Nature's Palette is the ideal illustrated reference volume for visual artists, naturalists, and anyone who is captivated by color. Contributions by Elaine Charwat, Peter Davidson, Andre Karliczek and Giulia Simonini. 'Fascinating and beautifully produced. Nature's Palette demonstrates the importance of Werner and Syme in the history of the classification of color and the history of science more broadly. '-Adrian Tinniswood, author of The Royal Society: And the Invention of Modern Science.
