Cart
Free Shipping in Australia
Proud to be B-Corp

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours Patrick Syme

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours By Patrick Syme

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours by Patrick Syme


$29.49
Condition - New
40+ in stock

Summary

A facsimile edition of Werner's classic taxonomy of nature's colours, as used by Charles Darwin.

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours Summary

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Minerology, Anatomy and the Arts by Patrick Syme

First published in 1814, Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a taxonomic guide to colour which been cherished by naturalists and anthropologists for over two centuries. In the late 1790's Abraham Gottlob Werner devised his own standardised colour scheme, which allowed the writer to describe even the subtlest of chromatic differences with consistent terminology. His scheme was then adapted by an Edinburgh flower painter, Patrick Syme, who traced the actual minerals described by Werner, and used them to create the colour charts found in the book. In the pre-photographic age, almost all visual details had to be captured using the written word, and scientific observers could not afford any ambiguity in their descriptions. These included Charles Darwin, for whom Werner's Nomenclature was an indispensable tool during his seminal voyage on the Beagle. Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a charming artefact from the age of explorers, which continues to be treasured by artists and scientists alike.

Werner's Nomenclature of Colours Reviews

'This is a fascinating historic document that grabs the attention much more than you would expect.' The Artist

About Patrick Syme

Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749-817) was an eminent mineralogist and geologist. His 1774 book On the External Characteristics of Minerals included a classification of colours which was widely used by natural philosophers until well into the 19th century. Patrick Syme (1774-845) was an Edinburgh painter and art teacher. He was introduced to Werner's system of colours by the great Scottish naturalist Robert Jameson, a former student of Werner who went on to tutor the young Charles Darwin. Jameson used mineral samples to reconstruct Werner's colours, and these formed the basis of Syme's colour swatches, which are faithfully reproduced in this book.

Additional information

NGR9780565094454
9780565094454
0565094459
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Minerology, Anatomy and the Arts by Patrick Syme
New
Hardback
The Natural History Museum
2018-03-15
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a new book - be the first to read this copy. With untouched pages and a perfect binding, your brand new copy is ready to be opened for the first time

Customer Reviews - Werner's Nomenclature of Colours