Winter’s gray can be gloomy, but reading The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair is like a glimpse of a vibrant spring. I wish this book had been around when I was studying color theory at MassArt.

Kasia St. Clair writes a vignette for each color, creating stories that combine history, science, and culture. From the chemistry of creating pigments to the social significance of the color’s use, St. Clair imbues every color with life and personality.

Her wit pops up on every page, though she does give beige a bit of a hard time (I have my issues with beige, but I don’t despise it)). What struck me most is how this book reminded me of Vasari’s Lives of the Artists—it’s not just about color; it’s about context. Understanding the world in which something was created gives it depth, whether it’s a pigment, a painting, or a design.

For anyone working in art and design—or anyone who loves seeing the world in full color—this book is inspiring.