This chromatic catalogue of the natural world pairs individual colour swatches with examples from the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms to create a beautiful and comprehensive colour reference system to grace every bookshelf.
Marking the 200th anniversary of the publication of Syme’s expanded edition of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours (1821), this lavish volume takes Syme’s field guide of 110 standard colours and – for the first time – fully illustrates it with nineteenth-century depictions of his referenced species. Expert text explains the uses and development of colour standards in relation to zoology, botany, minerology and anatomy, while specimens from contemporary collector’s cabinets (birds, butterflies, eggs, flowers and minerals) are matched to each colour swatch. Syme’s groundbreaking guide attempted to establish a universal colour reference system to help identify, classify and represent species from the natural world: this landmark publication completes his endeavour.
'Patrick Baty shares the beauty of our world through a rich and diverse palette'
'This new version of Syme’s book provides new examples for each hue the artist described but it also lays bare how endless is the project of classifying colour'
'Fascinating, lavishly illustrated … the essays by four leading experts are both informative and accessible … a very enjoyable read'
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