The story of the discovery of the 55 most important colours in creative man's existence from prehistoric times to the present, written from the artist's perspective. The story of the discovery of the 55 most important colors in creative man's existence from prehistoric times to the present, written from the artist's perspective. Monica Rotgans describes the many dyes and pigments that humans have turned into paint and color, and how to recognize them. Learn all about red mercury, white lead, blue glass, black cabbage, pink louse, yellow earth, brown asphalt, green arsenic, and much more. A richly illustrated and accessibly written book about the origins and growth of the painter's palette.