Red. A History of Color

«Red» — the fourth book by M. Pasturo in the extensive history of color in Western European societies («Blue», «Black», «Green» have already been published by «New Literary Review»). Noble and majestic, full of life, energetic and even aggressive, red was the first color that humans learned to produce and distinguish into shades. Until relatively recently, it remained the most sought-after and held the highest position in the color hierarchy. Why is it believed that red wine invigorates more than white? Red meat is more nutritious? Red lipstick enhances a woman better than other shades? Red cars — let’s remember «Ferrari» and «Maserati» — are faster than the others, and in sports, as the legend goes, players in red jerseys morally suppress their opponents, which is why their team loses less often? French historian M. Pasturo attempts to answer these and other questions, to understand where such unquestioning faith in the powerful red comes from, and to find the reasons for its gradual disappearance from our everyday life.