322 years old colors guide book

A very special color Dutch book from 1692 with over 700 pages of handwritten Dutch, providing an unusual peek into the workshop of 17th-century painters and illustrators.

The book found in a French database, describes how to make watercolor paints, in the 17th century, an age known as the Golden Age of Dutch Painting.

The book Traité des couleurs servant à la peinture à l’eau, was probably one of the best guides to paint and color of its time.

322 years old colors guide book (6)

 

According to Medieval book historian Erik Kwakkel, the color Dutch book was intended as an educational guide.

Images: Aix-en-Provence, Bibliothèque municipale/Bibliothèque Méjanes, MS 1389 (1228). Luckily, the entire book can be viewed here, in hi-res, zoomable images. Here is a description of the book.

322 years old colors guide book (5)

322 years old colors guide book (4)

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322 years old colors guide book (1)

 

via mymodernmet