DiscoverThe Atlas Obscura PodcastThe Blue That Upended the Art World
The Blue That Upended the Art World

The Blue That Upended the Art World

Update: 2026-03-19
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Description

Cultural historian Kassia St. Clair tells the stories of two highly prized colors that are linked to specific places in the world: an exquisite, extremely expensive blue that crossed the globe and upended the European art world… and a shade of purple that possibly wouldn’t have ever come to exist in a different place and time.   


Learn more about color history in Kassia’s book, The Secret Lives of Color


Plus: We always want to hear from you! If you have a question or story for us, give us a call at at 315-992-7902 and leave a message, or send an email to hello@atlasobscura.com.


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The Blue That Upended the Art World

The Blue That Upended the Art World

SiriusXM Podcasts & Atlas Obscura