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Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts Kindle Edition
Originally published in 1814, this remarkable volume features 110 colour swatches paired with poetic descriptions that capture nature's vibrant palette.
In the eighteenth century, German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner (1750-1817) set out to establish a standard reference guide to colour for use in the general sciences. Decades later, Scottish botanical artist Patrick Syme (1774-1845) extended Werner's work, refining it into a comprehensive catalogue of the most prominent shades and hues found in nature. The result was a timeless compendium of colour that showcases the beauty of nature across the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.
Each colour swatch in Syme's edition of Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is accompanied by examples found in nature, offering a practical tool for scientists, artists, and explorers alike. Notably, Charles Darwin used this guide during his voyage on the HMS Beagle to accurately describe his observations.
This exquisite collection of colours celebrates the harmony of art and science, capturing the beauty found in the natural world.
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Welcome to Art Meets Science
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Publisher of beautiful books, Art Meets Science champions an extraordinary intersection between the worlds of science and art.
By championing inspiring books that explore the boundless wonders of human intellect and artistic expression, Art Meets Science showcases some of the pivotal works of cultural history meticulously preserved for future generations to enjoy.
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From the Publisher

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Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry
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Ernst Haeckel's Art Forms in Nature: A Visual Masterpiece of the Natural World
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Anna Atkins' Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Ferns
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Oliver Byrne's Elements of Euclid: The First Six Books
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Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars 469
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4.7 out of 5 stars 103
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3.4 out of 5 stars 8
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4.4 out of 5 stars 242
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Price | $26.99$26.99 | $31.49$31.49 | $32.99$32.99 | $34.99$34.99 |
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Editorial Reviews
Review
""A treatise which ought to be in the hands of every mineralogist, and indeed in the possession of naturalists of every description."" - Inverness Courier, 1822
""I had been struck by the beautiful colour of the sea when seen through the chinks of a straw hat... according to Werner nomenclature 'Indigo with a little Azure blue."" - Charles Darwin, 1832
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B086VJN8HS
- Publisher : Art Meets Science (April 7, 2020)
- Publication date : April 7, 2020
- Language : English
- File size : 13.7 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 60 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,534 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #136 in Color in Art
- #167 in 90-Minute Science & Math Short Reads
- #540 in 90-Minute Arts & Photography Short Reads
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Fascinating
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2025Fascinating little book about colors found in nature, very enjoyable... delivered as promised and in very good condition.
Thank you!!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025I have this as a gift and they loved it! Very interesting book, especially for the art lover or artist.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024This book is for anyone who loves antique books, dabbles in the arts or just loves the written word. The use of words to describe colors is magnificent here. It’s expensive, imo, but I even thought of framing at one pages, it’s so beautiful.
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book is for anyone who loves antique books, dabbles in the arts or just loves the written word. The use of words to describe colors is magnificent here. It’s expensive, imo, but I even thought of framing at one pages, it’s so beautiful.Beautiful sepia toned artistic book of color
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024It contains colors observed in nature. Gives u reference as to where it was observed. +
- Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024I find it odd that the pages are a pinkish yellow fade as if to replicate an old book. I’m wondering if it affects the representation of the color block’s contained in the description. I would have preferred standard white paper.
I find it odd that the pages are a pinkish yellow fade as if to replicate an old book. I’m wondering if it affects the representation of the color block’s contained in the description. I would have preferred standard white paper.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024Even though it was originally published 200 years ago. The organization of colors (and the reasons behind it) is great! I would recommend this book to a variety of readers: casual, arty, coffee table - ers, science - y - everyone. I have given several copies to friends already. It was well packaged, came on time and is like the picture.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024Water colour languages for view.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024The colors are very dull and muted compared to the original… the historical literature is cool to have. Seems like the publisher cut corners on the materials. Also glue somehow made some of the pages stick together throughout along the inner binding. Will be returning. Not worth $25.
1.0 out of 5 starsThe colors are very dull and muted compared to the original… the historical literature is cool to have. Seems like the publisher cut corners on the materials. Also glue somehow made some of the pages stick together throughout along the inner binding. Will be returning. Not worth $25.Colors not accurate, cheaply made. Decoration book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
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C.JReviewed in France on April 4, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Version kindle perdu toute la qualité du livre
La version kindle de ce livre n'a pas de qualité que la version livre
- CaroleReviewed in Canada on December 4, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and useful
Colour book is so interesting and useful for all things Art.
- E. AllsopReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book. Really fascinating.
Great little book if you are interested in how colours come about and are associated historically.
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FloreSReviewed in Italy on July 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Prezzo ok
Ho scoperto poco dopo che da qualche parte sul web si poteva trovare anche gratuitamente. Però la spesa era ridotta quindi va bene. Consigliato per lavoro.
- Paula ClímacoReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality and rapidity
To improve scientific ilustration