Blue From Ancient Egypt to Yves Klein

By: Hayley Edwards-Dujardin

Published by Prestel Verlag GmbH & Company KG., 2026-03-03

Discover how the color blue evolved from a rare and sacred pigment to a powerful tool of artistic expression--from medieval altarpieces to modernist experiments.

From the cobalt glazes of ancient Egypt to Yves Klein's bold monochromes, blue has carried meanings both sacred and subversive across eras. Along the way, blue has been a symbol of power and purity, of sorrow and transcendence. This book traces how those meanings, symbolism, and iconography shifted through the evolving availability of pigments such as lapis lazuli, indigo, and synthetic ultramarine. Readers will see how a color, once costly and elusive, became central to artistic practice, both materially and metaphorically.
A wide-ranging selection of iconic works--from Egyptian faience and medieval manuscripts to Giotto's radiant frescoes, Vermeer's quiet interiors, Monet's shimmering waters, and the radical experiments of Hokusai, Picasso, and Yves Klein--show how artists have used blue to evoke emotion, suggest atmosphere, and reimagine the visible world. Each image is paired with a thoughtful reflection on its making and meaning; and how the pigment was sourced, applied, and understood in its cultural moment.
Designed for visual impact and intellectual clarity, the fascinating juxtaposition of art from all periods and all continents invites readers to look closely at masterpieces both surprising and familiar --and to reconsider how a single color has reflected and reshaped the human experience.