White: there is a kind of white that is more than white, and this was that sort of white' David Batchelor, Chromaphobia, 2000

Russet: Carters, ploughmen, shepherds and threshers of corn shall not wear no manner of cloth but Russet. Statute of Parliament under Edward III, 1363

Sap Green: underside of lower wings of orange tip butterfly Werner's nomenclature of colours 1814
(used by Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle to create descriptions of what he saw)

Deep Reddish Brown: breast of Pochard and neck of Teal Drake Werner's nomenclature of colours 1814
(used by Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle to create descriptions of what he saw)

Bluish Black: Crowberry and Black Cobalt ochre Werner's nomenclature of colours 1814
(used by Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle to create descriptions of what he saw)

'How clever of you, Mr Parkinson, also to know that pink is the navy blue of India.'
Diana Vreeland on Norman Parkinson 1956

Orpiment: made of alchemy.
'a handsome yellow more closely resembling gold than any other colour'
Cennino Cennini 15th century

'Yesterday and tomorrow cross and mix on the skyline. The two are lost in a purple haze. One forgets, one waits.'
Carl Sandburg 1878-1967

“I like good strong words that mean something...”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe...”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“But please hug and kiss me, everyone, and don't mind my dress, I want a great many crumples of this sort put into it today.”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

"What shall you do all your vacation?’, asked Amy.
"I shall lie abed and do nothing", replied Meg.”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

"Sail forth! The white, free chasm, infinity, is before us"
Kazimir Malevich, White on White series

“Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally…” Louisa May Alcott, Little Women