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Art in Blue 🔵
Blue is now considered the favorite color of Western societies. Yet it has not always held such a central place. This selection of content invites you to explore the many meanings of blue and its surprising evolution over time.

Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1889 ©Google Art Project

Did you know that in Antiquity, there was no precise word in Greek or Latin to describe the color blue?

The history of blue is far from straightforward. Long overlooked—or even associated with negative connotations—this color underwent a remarkable reversal of values over the centuries. With the rise of Christianity, blue gradually became a sacred and royal color, before establishing itself as a key presence in the history of art.

From Ming dynasty vases to Impressionist brushstrokes, this playlist takes you on a journey through artworks and eras to explore how blue has inspired artists and shaped our visual culture. An immersion into a color as mysterious as it is fascinating.

Find all the content from the playlist here!

Start

On the agenda
playlist - 10:00
Art in Blue 🔵
By: Art Explora
video - 4:00
History of Color: Blue
By: Accessible art history
podcast - 84:00
Cobalt Blue with Isabella Segalovich – Color Theory & Color Studies 
By: Art Slice
video - 13:45
An introduction to Ming blue and white porcelain
By: British Museum
video - 1:00
The Girl Dressed in Blue
By: Rijksmuseum
video - 1:22
Cobalt Blue between Persia and China
By: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
video - 11:18
Pablo Picasso’s Blue and Rose Period
By: Behind the masterpiece