SKU: 89847757029

Blue: The History of a Color

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Description

Blue: The History of a ColorA beautifully illustrated visual and cultural history of the color blue throughout the ages Blue has had a long and topsy turvy history in the Western world. The ancient Greeks scorned it as ugly and barbaric, but most Americans and Europeans now cite it as their favorite color. In this fascinating history, the renowned medievalist Michel Pastoureau traces the changing meanings of blue from its rare appearance in prehistoric art to its international

A beautifully illustrated visual and cultural history of the color blue throughout the ages

Blue has had a long and topsy-turvy history in the Western world. The ancient Greeks scorned it as ugly and barbaric, but most Americans and Europeans now cite it as their favorite color. In this fascinating history, the renowned medievalist Michel Pastoureau traces the changing meanings of blue from its rare appearance in prehistoric art to its international ubiquity today.

Any history of color is, above all, a social history. Pastoureau investigates how the ever-changing role of blue in society has been reflected in manuscripts, stained glass, heraldry, clothing, paintings, and popular culture. Beginning with the almost total absence of blue from ancient Western art and language, the story moves to medieval Europe. As people began to associate blue with the Virgin Mary, the color became a powerful element in church decoration and symbolism. Blue gained new favor as a royal color in the twelfth century and became a formidable political and military force during the French Revolution. As blue triumphed in the modern era, new shades were created and blue became the color of romance and the blues. Finally, Pastoureau follows blue into contemporary times, when military clothing gave way to the everyday uniform of blue jeans and blue became the universal and unifying color of the Earth as seen from space.

Beautifully illustrated, Blue tells the intriguing story of our favorite color and the cultures that have hated it, loved it, and made it essential to some of our greatest works of art.

-- "Choice"

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 03/20/2018
ISBN: 9780691181363
Pages: 216
Weight: 2.50lbs
Size: 9.70h x 9.40w x 1.00d
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SKU: 89847757029

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4.0 ★★★★★
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Mynx
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable Shoes Right Out of the Box
Size: 9, Color: Black
I bought these shoes for my husband. He has a very hard time finding quality, comfortable shoes. These shoes are just as comfortable as his New Balance. He uses them as a dress shoe and wears them at least once a week. There was no break in period necessary. They were comfortable right out of the box! The only thing we didn't like was the white sole color. Once I knew he was going to keep them, I used a black sharpie marker to color the soles black. Instant amazing, comfortable dress shoes. They were well worth the cost. If you or your SO needs a comfortable pair of shoes, we highly recommend them.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2025
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Verified Purchase
Rmanuel
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 1
Paid for new, received used.
Size: 9.5 Wide, Color: Cognac, Size: 9.5 Wide, Color: Cognac
Arrived dirty as if someone whore it for more than a few days. Maybe I was mistaken, but I saw nothing about “previously used” on the Amazon page. Returned it. I would suggest that the company use quality control when it comes to shipping. The shoes seem find otherwise. I ordered 9.5 and it was just a bit tight. If I reorder I will go for size 10.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Fletch
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Overall Great.
Size: 10.5 Wide, Color: Black
Great product. Great value. Great style. Overall great.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2026
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Verified Purchase
B.J. G
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
Decent Shoes with Misleading Description (Not Leather)
Size: 12 Wide, Color: Black, Size: 12 Wide, Color: Black
I only look for leather when I’m purchasing dress shoes. Under the description “details” on this item it lists the shoe as leather upper and inner lining. A photo shows “genuine Napa leather lining”. If you keep reading (which I have now that I’ve received the shoes) it shows “faux leather” in the small print and that is not “leather”. I run a small leather business and this irks me because it’s clearly false advertising. The details also show the product is made in Brazil but when they arrived today, the shoe tag shows “Made in China” and “Man Made upper and lower”. I don’t hate the shoes. They look nice. What I know is they won’t hold up over time like leather, which is why the description should be accurate and not misleading.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Shoes
Size: 10, Color: Cognac
Love these shoes super comfortable and look great. Everyone asks me where I got them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026

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