Overview of Course

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore and understand the role of color in art and architecture through direct, immersive experiences. We will examine the process of extracting, producing, and utilizing color across various cultural contexts. While color surrounds us daily, we rarely analyze its impact—unless we are fully immersed in it.

Through an itinerary that spans Europe, Africa, and Asia, we will trace the history, production, and cultural significance of pigments. From their origins to their role in global trade, pigments have shaped visual traditions and artistic expressions across cultures. Visits to renowned fine art museums will highlight how imported pigments revolutionized European art, while we also explore how color influences artistic practices in the regions we visit.

Each destination will offer an opportunity to understand the traditional methods of creating pigments and natural dyes, and how these are used in art, ceramics, textiles, architecture, tiles, ink drawings, cuisine, and daily life. The course weaves these elements together to create a cohesive understanding of the global significance of color, enhancing your appreciation of its aesthetic, historical, and cultural dimensions.