The Secret Lives of Color
by Kassia St. Clair
"The Secret Lives of Color" by Kassia St. Clair explores the intricate relationship between color and culture, emphasizing that colors are not merely objective phenomena but subjective cultural constructs shaped by historical, social, and personal contexts. The book illustrates how our perception of color is defined by the wavelengths of light that are reflected, leading to the philosophical observation that the color we see is actually the color that is not present. St. Clair delves into the historical significance of various colors, revealing how societal attitudes have shifted over time,such as blue's transformation from a symbol of degeneracy to a global favorite. The author intertwines anecdotes and historical events, such as Oscar Wilde's arrest linked to the yellow book, to highlight how color can convey powerful messages about identity and status. Through a series of color profiles, St. Clair examines the symbolism attached to colors like scarlet, green, and orange, illuminating their roles in art, religion, and social norms. The book reveals that colors can evoke emotions and carry connotations deeply rooted in cultural heritage, making them essential to understanding human expression. Ultimately, "The Secret Lives of Color" invites readers to appreciate the vibrant tapestry of color as both an aesthetic and a historically rich phenomenon.
7 popular highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most popular and impactful highlights and quotes from The Secret Lives of Color:
So, in a way, the color we perceive an object to be is precisely the color it isn’t: that is, the segment of the spectrum that is being reflected away.
Colors, therefore, should be understood as subjective cultural creations: you could no more meaningfully secure a precise universal definition for all the known shades than you could plot the coordinates of a dream.
Van Gogh's sunflowers, it seems, are wilting, just like their real-life counterparts did.
Different things are different colors because they absorb some wavelengths of the visible light spectrum, while others bounce off. So the tomato’s skin is soaking up most of the short and medium wavelengths—blues and violets, greens, yellows and oranges. The remainder, the reds, hit our eyes and are processed by our brains. So, in a way, the color we perceive an object to be is precisely the color it isn’t: that is, the segment of the spectrum that is being reflected away.
Someone wearing a snow-pale winter coat telegraphs a subtle visual message: "I do not need to take public transportation.
It seems blue, once considered the color of degenerates and barbarians, has conquered the world.
With apologies to Kandinsky, perhaps a better summation of the color would be: “Orange is like a man, desperately seeking to convince others of his powers.
