Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts

THis gives interesting variations of names for colors according to different aspects. I found it fascinating, but a writer might find it indispensable to cast the most evocative description of the scene in their mind.

Where science and art meet. Gave this to a relative who is both an architect and painter and was pleasantly surprised that they had not been aware of it before, but loved it. Always nice to delight someone with something that is little known but really fascinating

I love this book for its literary and artistic value. I'm an artist and the names for the colors picked from nature are so right. It's beautifully bound and presented as a book of verse; a romance. A walk through a garden. A nomenclature of colours, with examples like they've been freshly watercolor painted into their squares on the pages. For instance: No. 31 Berlin Blue is the Wing Feather of a Jay. It's a Blue Sapphire. It's a Hepatic flower. No. 31 Berlin Blue, is the pure, or characteristic color of Werner. It's a beautiful read and a loving walk of color. The text and layout bring to mind more than color but light, and origins, and the time of day I enjoy having this book near my drawing board. It brings a cultural and artistic value to my space.

This beautiful little book is much better than most of the historic reproductions in my collection. It comes with a very well manufactured hard cover. and a ribbon bookmark. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the mineral, animal, and plant specimens that typify the colors. I can't really use this book today for the same purpose that Charles Darwin did in his day, but if we recognize that we are treated to a rare look at a two-century old color book in near perfect condition, the muting of colors by time can be forgiven. As an artist and professional naturalist myself, I found myself making mental comparisons of the color swatches and found many wanting. The whites are now all shades of tan. Veinous blood red is presented here as black, and Sulphur yellow is far too green. As much as we might wish for the original vibrancy of the colors to show through, two hundred years have passed since the original colors were mixed with a carrier and applied to paper. Its a rare artwork that stays true to its original colors for that long, because organic pigments fade and both oil mediums and paper discolor. Knowing all this, I'd still buy it over for the pleasure of an evening reading.

how lucky we are the smithsonian rescued this book and reproduced it. your inner poet is going to love it. i bought two copies. one to keep for my own inner poet and another to give to my sister who thrives on color. we both thrive on historical artifacts and this book has it in spades. yes, the book took some time to get here because i suspect the publisher wasn't prepared for the mad rush when everyone started sharing a link to the book on facebook. i know six other people who ordered the book the same day i ordered two copies. i suspect it will sell out.

Having held a copy of an original Syme's 1821 in Kansas City many years ago I was excited to have a copy in my office. And since it was Smithsonian I was doubly excited since I figured it would be really nice.The color swatches in the book are dull approximations of the original. This is particularly evident on the blues page where Verditter, Greenish & Grayish blue are so close as to appear the same. I thought perhaps I was romanticising my memory so I sought out a comparison.Attached are screenshots from the Linda Hall Archive (where I first saw the original) and a photo from the Smithsonian reproduction. There is a world of difference with the Smithsonian colors all having a muted grayish cast. So sad. And odd: with the improvement of printing technology there's no reason this can't be spot-on.If you want this for the descriptive language and historical aspects buy it. If you want to see the magnificence of Sym's original tints go online.

If you are somewhat artistic and very geeky, you will really like this book. It is based on the original - just a smaller version. It is kind of a "what's what" of color nomenclature. I also sent this to a friend who is a retired art teacher. She loves it! I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in art, color and history. It is a very "giftable" book.

Great gift to artists who rely on colors for their work

Es un buen libro pero yo esperaba ver las combinaciones de colores mas claramente. Toda la información esta en cuadros muy chiquitos con cuadros de colores muy chiquitos. Se ve bonito pero no es lo que yo esperaba

Gostei bastante. O livro é do jeito que eu esperava.

Bel objet, curiosité éditoriale et livre historique en sciences naturelles puisque Darwin le possédait sur le HMS Beagle !

I have lots of books I read for pleasure. This is such a beautiful little volume of colors and descriptions. I live everything about it.

Libro con la nomenclatura de los colores de WernerAmplia gama de coloresMuy conseguidoLibro tamaño de bolsillo, tapa dura