A Book of Every Color, 271 Years Before Pantone

Over the past few weeks, a book titled Traité des couleurs servant à le peinture à l’eau [Treatise on the Colors Used to Paint with Water] gained popularity on the internet after medieval book historian Erik Kwakkel posted images of the book to his Tumblr page. I have to say that, being a designer, this is probably one of the most beautiful and fascinating books that I have ever laid eyes on. This nearly 800 page book, hand written in Dutch by an artist who identified him/herself as A. Boogert, describes how to make watercolor paints in unfathomable detail and scope. The book begins with a description about the use of color in painting, and continues on to explain how to mix colors and change their tone by adding “one, two, or three portions of water”. Creating an index of every available watercolor pigment and combination, the book was probably the most comprehensive guide of its time. The author says that he/she originally created the book for educational purposes, though the book is one of a kind, and is largely unknown and undocumented. Just think of how this book could have changed history, and the way that artists and designers think about color today. I am sure that it would have been a required read for me in college. Thanks to technology, you can now view the entire book online. And if you want to make the trip, you can view it in person at Bibliothèque Méjanesin Aix-en-Provence, France.

Hannah Tindall is an Associate Senior Designer at Habitar Design, a leading Interior Design firm in Chicago. Habitar Design specializes in luxury home, kitchen, and bathroom designs and remodels.