White. The History of Color

"White" is another volume by M. Pasturo, supplementing his previous studies on the history of color in Western Europe over the centuries. Acknowledging the debates about whether white is a color, the author suggests that we consider its full chromatic status when conducting historical analysis. This time, the French medievalist questions how white was perceived at different times: was it a synonym for colorlessness? Did it have an unambiguously positive connotation? The book examines different facets of white, its evolution from a color of religious cult (analogous to the sacred) and monarchy to the active incorporation of white in the sports and medical fields in modern history, as well as in contemporary notions of hygiene. Pasturo pays special attention to the dualism and the associations of white-black and white-red, where these colors become opposites of each other. This study sheds light on the fluid symbolism of white and its role in various historical contexts from ancient times to the present day.