Susan here, wishing you a great 2020! Recently Pantone announced their 2020 color of the year – “Classic Blue,” they call it, citing its peaceful, dependable, calming qualities, a color that the Pantone folks say has both a tranquil modernity and an enduring sense of heritage perfect for entering a new decade. Heritage for sure – seeing their color pick, I was immediately reminded of all the beautiful blues that have been regarded over the ages as very special, reserved for royalty, treated as priceless and sacred. And reminded, too, of one of my own personal favorite colors: I am very partial to this sort of blue.
This saturated hue, and those similiar to it, touch the spectrum somewhere between ultramarine, cobalt, and peacock. It has a natural, familiar feel, like a twilight blue sky, a deep lake in sunshine, a perfect sapphire, a chunk of lapis lazuli—or the beautiful blues in the classic and varied blue-and-white dishes found in Blue Willow china, Spode ware, Wedgwood, Asian porcelain, and more. Over the years I’ve been collecting blue-and-white patterned dishes from antiques to Asian to contemporary–here are just a few of them–and so, while I don’t usually pay much attention to trendy colors, a resurgence of this rich and truly classic blue appeals to me.
Let's look at some of the great blue hues in history . . .
Neolithic pottery used blue color taken from plants, and sometimes formed beads and small figurines of lapis lazuli, a silicate mineral valued for its intense blue color, mined thousands of years ago.
Lapis was prized in Egypt through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and straight into today. Lapis is also said to have supportive energies for writers, and just in case, I keep a hefty chunk of raw lapis, brought from far away by a friend, on my desk (photo). 
The Egyptians used lapis lazuli in figurines, jewelry and inlays, and decorative arts, and ground it into a pigment 
powder for paints. It is inlaid in King Tut's spectacular gold and blue coffin covering, and carved in this exquisite cat sculpture.
They also prized another source of rich blue often called Egyptian blue, which they prepared from oxidized copper, a cyan blue that the Romans later called cerulean. In Egypt and other ancient civilizations, it appeared in painted surfaces, pottery colors, and dyes. The oxidized copper blue, transformed to pigment, 
appears in Nefertiti's headdress, and is used as a glaze on the quartz-based ceramic of this little hippo figurine.
The Celts — and some Neolithic groups before them — were fond of another source of blue, woad, drawn from a plant of the Brassica family, whose yellow flowers produce a strong and beautiful blue that does not always require a mordant to set, and so 
was used often for not only fabric dyes and paint, but tattoos as well. 
The Picts, so-called by the Romans (they called themselves the Cruithin) for their tendency to paint or tattoo themselves in particular blue designs, used woad, and sometimes copper oxide, to work designs into their skin.
Lapis lazuli remained the pre-eminent blue in the Middle Ages. Expensive and rare, mined in the East and brought along trade routes to European countries, it was valued more highly than gold. 
The blues produced by ground lapis powder mixed with egg white, and later in oil, were so costly to make that they were used sparingly and reserved for the most important illuminations and panel paintings, and later in frescoes and paintings by Renaissance masters.
During the Baroque era, Jan Vermeer so loved lapis blue that he used it often in the nuanced blues in many paintings. It is believed that his passion for the very expensive pigment plunged him and his family into enormous debt. The painter, a popular but not prolific artist who died fairly young, was unable to recover financially from the beautiful luxury of his blues.
Lapis remained a favorite through the centuries but also remained very expensive, and later artists still found it hard to afford (it is said that Michelangelo abandoned one of his frescoes because he could not buy more ultramarine, or lapis, blue).
In later eras, artists such as Van Gogh and Renoir turned to other sources of blue, such as cobalt, produced from oxidized aluminum, which was cheaper and more readily available and provided rich blue hues.
Prussian blue, a variation of an oxidized aluminum color, was produced when the oxidized product was mixed with animal blood, creating not red, as would be expected, but a rich greenish blue. Hokusai used the color in his famous woodcut print of an enormous wave.
So – a quick breezy trip through some beautiful blues. There is so much more to say, such as 
the production of blue and white china and porcelain, or the use of blues in dyes (such as the gorgeous blue silk so delicately and precisely painted here by Ingres). And so many other colors to explore!
What is your favorite color? While I love rich blues, I'm also very fond of dark greens (and my go-to is always black).
Is there another color we could explore here through history? I'm up for it if you have suggestions!
What a fascinating post, Susan…thank you!
Blue is my husband’s favorite color. While I like blue, too, I’ll admit that my favorite color is red.
What a fascinating post, Susan…thank you!
Blue is my husband’s favorite color. While I like blue, too, I’ll admit that my favorite color is red.
What a fascinating post, Susan…thank you!
Blue is my husband’s favorite color. While I like blue, too, I’ll admit that my favorite color is red.
What a fascinating post, Susan…thank you!
Blue is my husband’s favorite color. While I like blue, too, I’ll admit that my favorite color is red.
What a fascinating post, Susan…thank you!
Blue is my husband’s favorite color. While I like blue, too, I’ll admit that my favorite color is red.
Great topic, Susan!
I’d say yellow … because it’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing yellow. (No offense to blue intended, I love blue, too.)
Great topic, Susan!
I’d say yellow … because it’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing yellow. (No offense to blue intended, I love blue, too.)
Great topic, Susan!
I’d say yellow … because it’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing yellow. (No offense to blue intended, I love blue, too.)
Great topic, Susan!
I’d say yellow … because it’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing yellow. (No offense to blue intended, I love blue, too.)
Great topic, Susan!
I’d say yellow … because it’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing yellow. (No offense to blue intended, I love blue, too.)
What an interesting post. My favorite color is blue! The facts on the how expensive the blue pigments were very surprising. I love the painting by Ingres, the detail of the silk dress is simply beautiful.
What an interesting post. My favorite color is blue! The facts on the how expensive the blue pigments were very surprising. I love the painting by Ingres, the detail of the silk dress is simply beautiful.
What an interesting post. My favorite color is blue! The facts on the how expensive the blue pigments were very surprising. I love the painting by Ingres, the detail of the silk dress is simply beautiful.
What an interesting post. My favorite color is blue! The facts on the how expensive the blue pigments were very surprising. I love the painting by Ingres, the detail of the silk dress is simply beautiful.
What an interesting post. My favorite color is blue! The facts on the how expensive the blue pigments were very surprising. I love the painting by Ingres, the detail of the silk dress is simply beautiful.
You ladies come up with the most interesting things to blog about. Things I would never even think of as being so interesting.
I guess if I have a favorite color, it is blue. I like it best when combined with pink and lavender – very soothing. However, I do like most colors and find them interesting.
You ladies come up with the most interesting things to blog about. Things I would never even think of as being so interesting.
I guess if I have a favorite color, it is blue. I like it best when combined with pink and lavender – very soothing. However, I do like most colors and find them interesting.
You ladies come up with the most interesting things to blog about. Things I would never even think of as being so interesting.
I guess if I have a favorite color, it is blue. I like it best when combined with pink and lavender – very soothing. However, I do like most colors and find them interesting.
You ladies come up with the most interesting things to blog about. Things I would never even think of as being so interesting.
I guess if I have a favorite color, it is blue. I like it best when combined with pink and lavender – very soothing. However, I do like most colors and find them interesting.
You ladies come up with the most interesting things to blog about. Things I would never even think of as being so interesting.
I guess if I have a favorite color, it is blue. I like it best when combined with pink and lavender – very soothing. However, I do like most colors and find them interesting.
I don’t believe I have a favorite color. This is only one color that I dislike: the green found on the walls of many public places. It’s a remarkably bad type of apple green that makes everything look sick!
I inherited some blue flow-ware pieces from a tea set beloning to my grandmother’s aunt. It is displayed with pride in our otherwise utilitarian china cabinet.
I don’t believe I have a favorite color. This is only one color that I dislike: the green found on the walls of many public places. It’s a remarkably bad type of apple green that makes everything look sick!
I inherited some blue flow-ware pieces from a tea set beloning to my grandmother’s aunt. It is displayed with pride in our otherwise utilitarian china cabinet.
I don’t believe I have a favorite color. This is only one color that I dislike: the green found on the walls of many public places. It’s a remarkably bad type of apple green that makes everything look sick!
I inherited some blue flow-ware pieces from a tea set beloning to my grandmother’s aunt. It is displayed with pride in our otherwise utilitarian china cabinet.
I don’t believe I have a favorite color. This is only one color that I dislike: the green found on the walls of many public places. It’s a remarkably bad type of apple green that makes everything look sick!
I inherited some blue flow-ware pieces from a tea set beloning to my grandmother’s aunt. It is displayed with pride in our otherwise utilitarian china cabinet.
I don’t believe I have a favorite color. This is only one color that I dislike: the green found on the walls of many public places. It’s a remarkably bad type of apple green that makes everything look sick!
I inherited some blue flow-ware pieces from a tea set beloning to my grandmother’s aunt. It is displayed with pride in our otherwise utilitarian china cabinet.
Not sure how I did this: I SHOULD have typed “There is only one color”!
Not sure how I did this: I SHOULD have typed “There is only one color”!
Not sure how I did this: I SHOULD have typed “There is only one color”!
Not sure how I did this: I SHOULD have typed “There is only one color”!
Not sure how I did this: I SHOULD have typed “There is only one color”!
Wonderful collection of blue objects, Susan! I want that lapis cat and the Ingres blue silk gown. Since you’re so good with colors and arts, maybe you could do a series of blogs on color? I vote for burgundy next time around!
Wonderful collection of blue objects, Susan! I want that lapis cat and the Ingres blue silk gown. Since you’re so good with colors and arts, maybe you could do a series of blogs on color? I vote for burgundy next time around!
Wonderful collection of blue objects, Susan! I want that lapis cat and the Ingres blue silk gown. Since you’re so good with colors and arts, maybe you could do a series of blogs on color? I vote for burgundy next time around!
Wonderful collection of blue objects, Susan! I want that lapis cat and the Ingres blue silk gown. Since you’re so good with colors and arts, maybe you could do a series of blogs on color? I vote for burgundy next time around!
Wonderful collection of blue objects, Susan! I want that lapis cat and the Ingres blue silk gown. Since you’re so good with colors and arts, maybe you could do a series of blogs on color? I vote for burgundy next time around!
Thank you for this lovely look at blue. It’s fascinating! My favorite color in all its shades and hues and tones….
Thank you for this lovely look at blue. It’s fascinating! My favorite color in all its shades and hues and tones….
Thank you for this lovely look at blue. It’s fascinating! My favorite color in all its shades and hues and tones….
Thank you for this lovely look at blue. It’s fascinating! My favorite color in all its shades and hues and tones….
Thank you for this lovely look at blue. It’s fascinating! My favorite color in all its shades and hues and tones….
When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, a lifetime ago, I bought several pieces of lapis. I love the deep rich pure color of them and I, also, would love that beautiful lapis cat to look at every day.
I can understand why painters wanted it, as it pops off the canvas. Even in reprints and across the internet it draws your eye.
My favorite color, however, is green. Not partial to yellowish greens though, and my birthstone is peridot which I like least of all the gemstones. And, funnily, I have very little green around me, but give me a color chart and I will pick green as my favorite every time.
I love these posts and hope for more, on any color you choose.
When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, a lifetime ago, I bought several pieces of lapis. I love the deep rich pure color of them and I, also, would love that beautiful lapis cat to look at every day.
I can understand why painters wanted it, as it pops off the canvas. Even in reprints and across the internet it draws your eye.
My favorite color, however, is green. Not partial to yellowish greens though, and my birthstone is peridot which I like least of all the gemstones. And, funnily, I have very little green around me, but give me a color chart and I will pick green as my favorite every time.
I love these posts and hope for more, on any color you choose.
When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, a lifetime ago, I bought several pieces of lapis. I love the deep rich pure color of them and I, also, would love that beautiful lapis cat to look at every day.
I can understand why painters wanted it, as it pops off the canvas. Even in reprints and across the internet it draws your eye.
My favorite color, however, is green. Not partial to yellowish greens though, and my birthstone is peridot which I like least of all the gemstones. And, funnily, I have very little green around me, but give me a color chart and I will pick green as my favorite every time.
I love these posts and hope for more, on any color you choose.
When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, a lifetime ago, I bought several pieces of lapis. I love the deep rich pure color of them and I, also, would love that beautiful lapis cat to look at every day.
I can understand why painters wanted it, as it pops off the canvas. Even in reprints and across the internet it draws your eye.
My favorite color, however, is green. Not partial to yellowish greens though, and my birthstone is peridot which I like least of all the gemstones. And, funnily, I have very little green around me, but give me a color chart and I will pick green as my favorite every time.
I love these posts and hope for more, on any color you choose.
When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, a lifetime ago, I bought several pieces of lapis. I love the deep rich pure color of them and I, also, would love that beautiful lapis cat to look at every day.
I can understand why painters wanted it, as it pops off the canvas. Even in reprints and across the internet it draws your eye.
My favorite color, however, is green. Not partial to yellowish greens though, and my birthstone is peridot which I like least of all the gemstones. And, funnily, I have very little green around me, but give me a color chart and I will pick green as my favorite every time.
I love these posts and hope for more, on any color you choose.
It was my father’s favorite color too, but not surprising because he was red/green color blind. My anecdotal information indicates that more men seem to favor blue.
It was my father’s favorite color too, but not surprising because he was red/green color blind. My anecdotal information indicates that more men seem to favor blue.
It was my father’s favorite color too, but not surprising because he was red/green color blind. My anecdotal information indicates that more men seem to favor blue.
It was my father’s favorite color too, but not surprising because he was red/green color blind. My anecdotal information indicates that more men seem to favor blue.
It was my father’s favorite color too, but not surprising because he was red/green color blind. My anecdotal information indicates that more men seem to favor blue.
Among the blues, I like deep cobalt blue, like the color of glass bottles.
Among the blues, I like deep cobalt blue, like the color of glass bottles.
Among the blues, I like deep cobalt blue, like the color of glass bottles.
Among the blues, I like deep cobalt blue, like the color of glass bottles.
Among the blues, I like deep cobalt blue, like the color of glass bottles.
I love purple in almost any shade. I like to think it’s a hangover from my past lives as royalty!
I love purple in almost any shade. I like to think it’s a hangover from my past lives as royalty!
I love purple in almost any shade. I like to think it’s a hangover from my past lives as royalty!
I love purple in almost any shade. I like to think it’s a hangover from my past lives as royalty!
I love purple in almost any shade. I like to think it’s a hangover from my past lives as royalty!
The blues you have shared with us are all beautiful. I love blue, and green and aqua and peach. But, blue is my favorite of my favorites.
Each of these pictures give us another shade of a lovely color. Thanks so much for this post and the pictures.
The blues you have shared with us are all beautiful. I love blue, and green and aqua and peach. But, blue is my favorite of my favorites.
Each of these pictures give us another shade of a lovely color. Thanks so much for this post and the pictures.
The blues you have shared with us are all beautiful. I love blue, and green and aqua and peach. But, blue is my favorite of my favorites.
Each of these pictures give us another shade of a lovely color. Thanks so much for this post and the pictures.
The blues you have shared with us are all beautiful. I love blue, and green and aqua and peach. But, blue is my favorite of my favorites.
Each of these pictures give us another shade of a lovely color. Thanks so much for this post and the pictures.
The blues you have shared with us are all beautiful. I love blue, and green and aqua and peach. But, blue is my favorite of my favorites.
Each of these pictures give us another shade of a lovely color. Thanks so much for this post and the pictures.
Black is my go to also and I wear a lot of it but my favorite color is purple or lavender. Really enjoyed this post very much.
Black is my go to also and I wear a lot of it but my favorite color is purple or lavender. Really enjoyed this post very much.
Black is my go to also and I wear a lot of it but my favorite color is purple or lavender. Really enjoyed this post very much.
Black is my go to also and I wear a lot of it but my favorite color is purple or lavender. Really enjoyed this post very much.
Black is my go to also and I wear a lot of it but my favorite color is purple or lavender. Really enjoyed this post very much.
The little Egyptian hippo in turquoise is William; he is the mascot of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He was found in the tomb of Senbi II (12th Dynasty). Hippos were a dangerous beast that one might encounter in the journey by boat to the afterlife; it is thought his legs (now mended) were broken so he could not pose a danger to Senbi on his travels.
I have a same size reproduction on my bookshelf 🙂
The little Egyptian hippo in turquoise is William; he is the mascot of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He was found in the tomb of Senbi II (12th Dynasty). Hippos were a dangerous beast that one might encounter in the journey by boat to the afterlife; it is thought his legs (now mended) were broken so he could not pose a danger to Senbi on his travels.
I have a same size reproduction on my bookshelf 🙂
The little Egyptian hippo in turquoise is William; he is the mascot of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He was found in the tomb of Senbi II (12th Dynasty). Hippos were a dangerous beast that one might encounter in the journey by boat to the afterlife; it is thought his legs (now mended) were broken so he could not pose a danger to Senbi on his travels.
I have a same size reproduction on my bookshelf 🙂
The little Egyptian hippo in turquoise is William; he is the mascot of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He was found in the tomb of Senbi II (12th Dynasty). Hippos were a dangerous beast that one might encounter in the journey by boat to the afterlife; it is thought his legs (now mended) were broken so he could not pose a danger to Senbi on his travels.
I have a same size reproduction on my bookshelf 🙂
The little Egyptian hippo in turquoise is William; he is the mascot of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He was found in the tomb of Senbi II (12th Dynasty). Hippos were a dangerous beast that one might encounter in the journey by boat to the afterlife; it is thought his legs (now mended) were broken so he could not pose a danger to Senbi on his travels.
I have a same size reproduction on my bookshelf 🙂
Fascinating post Susan and I too collect blue and white porcelain! I especially love the ones where the blue is a bit hazy/floating but still a clear indigo. Favourite colours – lilac, primrose yellow, red, duck egg blue … no, can’t choose just one!
Fascinating post Susan and I too collect blue and white porcelain! I especially love the ones where the blue is a bit hazy/floating but still a clear indigo. Favourite colours – lilac, primrose yellow, red, duck egg blue … no, can’t choose just one!
Fascinating post Susan and I too collect blue and white porcelain! I especially love the ones where the blue is a bit hazy/floating but still a clear indigo. Favourite colours – lilac, primrose yellow, red, duck egg blue … no, can’t choose just one!
Fascinating post Susan and I too collect blue and white porcelain! I especially love the ones where the blue is a bit hazy/floating but still a clear indigo. Favourite colours – lilac, primrose yellow, red, duck egg blue … no, can’t choose just one!
Fascinating post Susan and I too collect blue and white porcelain! I especially love the ones where the blue is a bit hazy/floating but still a clear indigo. Favourite colours – lilac, primrose yellow, red, duck egg blue … no, can’t choose just one!
I would like to know the history of the varied shades of purple. The reds and blues are such a lovely spectrum.
The blue in your blog, Susan, is spectacular. I love all the shades and how they evolved.
I would like to know the history of the varied shades of purple. The reds and blues are such a lovely spectrum.
The blue in your blog, Susan, is spectacular. I love all the shades and how they evolved.
I would like to know the history of the varied shades of purple. The reds and blues are such a lovely spectrum.
The blue in your blog, Susan, is spectacular. I love all the shades and how they evolved.
I would like to know the history of the varied shades of purple. The reds and blues are such a lovely spectrum.
The blue in your blog, Susan, is spectacular. I love all the shades and how they evolved.
I would like to know the history of the varied shades of purple. The reds and blues are such a lovely spectrum.
The blue in your blog, Susan, is spectacular. I love all the shades and how they evolved.
Your China looks just like mine. I decided about 1980 that I was not going to buy sets of any thing anymore as as soon as it came into my house, it started to break. Cereal bowls in particular. But is everytihing was blue and white, it would always go together. We have many of the same pieces.
Your China looks just like mine. I decided about 1980 that I was not going to buy sets of any thing anymore as as soon as it came into my house, it started to break. Cereal bowls in particular. But is everytihing was blue and white, it would always go together. We have many of the same pieces.
Your China looks just like mine. I decided about 1980 that I was not going to buy sets of any thing anymore as as soon as it came into my house, it started to break. Cereal bowls in particular. But is everytihing was blue and white, it would always go together. We have many of the same pieces.
Your China looks just like mine. I decided about 1980 that I was not going to buy sets of any thing anymore as as soon as it came into my house, it started to break. Cereal bowls in particular. But is everytihing was blue and white, it would always go together. We have many of the same pieces.
Your China looks just like mine. I decided about 1980 that I was not going to buy sets of any thing anymore as as soon as it came into my house, it started to break. Cereal bowls in particular. But is everytihing was blue and white, it would always go together. We have many of the same pieces.
I know a young man who is also red/green color blind. Now you have me wondering, Karin, what his favorite color is!
I know a young man who is also red/green color blind. Now you have me wondering, Karin, what his favorite color is!
I know a young man who is also red/green color blind. Now you have me wondering, Karin, what his favorite color is!
I know a young man who is also red/green color blind. Now you have me wondering, Karin, what his favorite color is!
I know a young man who is also red/green color blind. Now you have me wondering, Karin, what his favorite color is!
I’m happy with this post as blue has been my favorite color. When shopping for clothes it is hard for me to chose other colors as I go for the blues first. I like all shades of blue. My next favorite is forest green.
I’m happy with this post as blue has been my favorite color. When shopping for clothes it is hard for me to chose other colors as I go for the blues first. I like all shades of blue. My next favorite is forest green.
I’m happy with this post as blue has been my favorite color. When shopping for clothes it is hard for me to chose other colors as I go for the blues first. I like all shades of blue. My next favorite is forest green.
I’m happy with this post as blue has been my favorite color. When shopping for clothes it is hard for me to chose other colors as I go for the blues first. I like all shades of blue. My next favorite is forest green.
I’m happy with this post as blue has been my favorite color. When shopping for clothes it is hard for me to chose other colors as I go for the blues first. I like all shades of blue. My next favorite is forest green.
I love the colour blue, especially cobalt blue (I received a share of my mother’s blue glass collection when she died). My whole family knows that if they are giving me anything it has to be blue! My garden has as many blue flowering plants as I could find but I also like yellow and white flowers as well. I dislike red immensely – it took me many years to convince my husband not to give me red roses on our anniversary or Valentine’s Day – you’d have thought that the yellow roses I carried at our wedding would have been a big clue! I also don’t tend to see other colours than blue when shopping for clothes but that just means that almost everything I have goes together.
I love the colour blue, especially cobalt blue (I received a share of my mother’s blue glass collection when she died). My whole family knows that if they are giving me anything it has to be blue! My garden has as many blue flowering plants as I could find but I also like yellow and white flowers as well. I dislike red immensely – it took me many years to convince my husband not to give me red roses on our anniversary or Valentine’s Day – you’d have thought that the yellow roses I carried at our wedding would have been a big clue! I also don’t tend to see other colours than blue when shopping for clothes but that just means that almost everything I have goes together.
I love the colour blue, especially cobalt blue (I received a share of my mother’s blue glass collection when she died). My whole family knows that if they are giving me anything it has to be blue! My garden has as many blue flowering plants as I could find but I also like yellow and white flowers as well. I dislike red immensely – it took me many years to convince my husband not to give me red roses on our anniversary or Valentine’s Day – you’d have thought that the yellow roses I carried at our wedding would have been a big clue! I also don’t tend to see other colours than blue when shopping for clothes but that just means that almost everything I have goes together.
I love the colour blue, especially cobalt blue (I received a share of my mother’s blue glass collection when she died). My whole family knows that if they are giving me anything it has to be blue! My garden has as many blue flowering plants as I could find but I also like yellow and white flowers as well. I dislike red immensely – it took me many years to convince my husband not to give me red roses on our anniversary or Valentine’s Day – you’d have thought that the yellow roses I carried at our wedding would have been a big clue! I also don’t tend to see other colours than blue when shopping for clothes but that just means that almost everything I have goes together.
I love the colour blue, especially cobalt blue (I received a share of my mother’s blue glass collection when she died). My whole family knows that if they are giving me anything it has to be blue! My garden has as many blue flowering plants as I could find but I also like yellow and white flowers as well. I dislike red immensely – it took me many years to convince my husband not to give me red roses on our anniversary or Valentine’s Day – you’d have thought that the yellow roses I carried at our wedding would have been a big clue! I also don’t tend to see other colours than blue when shopping for clothes but that just means that almost everything I have goes together.
Pantone 294, which I think of as a darker royal blue, is the official Los Angeles Dodgers color of blue. Their fan club calls itself Pantone 294 for that reason. The fan club does excursions to road games, and it’s fun to see a big patch of blue in the stands when they’re away from home.
Pantone 294, which I think of as a darker royal blue, is the official Los Angeles Dodgers color of blue. Their fan club calls itself Pantone 294 for that reason. The fan club does excursions to road games, and it’s fun to see a big patch of blue in the stands when they’re away from home.
Pantone 294, which I think of as a darker royal blue, is the official Los Angeles Dodgers color of blue. Their fan club calls itself Pantone 294 for that reason. The fan club does excursions to road games, and it’s fun to see a big patch of blue in the stands when they’re away from home.
Pantone 294, which I think of as a darker royal blue, is the official Los Angeles Dodgers color of blue. Their fan club calls itself Pantone 294 for that reason. The fan club does excursions to road games, and it’s fun to see a big patch of blue in the stands when they’re away from home.
Pantone 294, which I think of as a darker royal blue, is the official Los Angeles Dodgers color of blue. Their fan club calls itself Pantone 294 for that reason. The fan club does excursions to road games, and it’s fun to see a big patch of blue in the stands when they’re away from home.
A bit late to the game, but this post reminded me of a lecture I heard at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. It was about color in painting (which was the focus of the exhibit), and one of the facts I remember was that artists favored lapis not only because it is such a beautiful color when applied but because it doesn’t fade (as in the Wilton diptych, above). You can tell when an artist couldn’t afford lapis because over time the blue is no longer vivid but much paler. Even though one of my sisters is an art conservator and I should have known better, it hadn’t occurred to me that the color I see in the 21st C may not be the color the artist applied in the 18th. This is also true of skin tones, some of which now look greenish but which were white when originally painted.
A bit late to the game, but this post reminded me of a lecture I heard at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. It was about color in painting (which was the focus of the exhibit), and one of the facts I remember was that artists favored lapis not only because it is such a beautiful color when applied but because it doesn’t fade (as in the Wilton diptych, above). You can tell when an artist couldn’t afford lapis because over time the blue is no longer vivid but much paler. Even though one of my sisters is an art conservator and I should have known better, it hadn’t occurred to me that the color I see in the 21st C may not be the color the artist applied in the 18th. This is also true of skin tones, some of which now look greenish but which were white when originally painted.
A bit late to the game, but this post reminded me of a lecture I heard at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. It was about color in painting (which was the focus of the exhibit), and one of the facts I remember was that artists favored lapis not only because it is such a beautiful color when applied but because it doesn’t fade (as in the Wilton diptych, above). You can tell when an artist couldn’t afford lapis because over time the blue is no longer vivid but much paler. Even though one of my sisters is an art conservator and I should have known better, it hadn’t occurred to me that the color I see in the 21st C may not be the color the artist applied in the 18th. This is also true of skin tones, some of which now look greenish but which were white when originally painted.
A bit late to the game, but this post reminded me of a lecture I heard at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. It was about color in painting (which was the focus of the exhibit), and one of the facts I remember was that artists favored lapis not only because it is such a beautiful color when applied but because it doesn’t fade (as in the Wilton diptych, above). You can tell when an artist couldn’t afford lapis because over time the blue is no longer vivid but much paler. Even though one of my sisters is an art conservator and I should have known better, it hadn’t occurred to me that the color I see in the 21st C may not be the color the artist applied in the 18th. This is also true of skin tones, some of which now look greenish but which were white when originally painted.
A bit late to the game, but this post reminded me of a lecture I heard at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. It was about color in painting (which was the focus of the exhibit), and one of the facts I remember was that artists favored lapis not only because it is such a beautiful color when applied but because it doesn’t fade (as in the Wilton diptych, above). You can tell when an artist couldn’t afford lapis because over time the blue is no longer vivid but much paler. Even though one of my sisters is an art conservator and I should have known better, it hadn’t occurred to me that the color I see in the 21st C may not be the color the artist applied in the 18th. This is also true of skin tones, some of which now look greenish but which were white when originally painted.