| Faber Birren (1900-1988) was a leading authority on the effects of color on humans as well as a dedicated collector of texts
on color from a variety of viewpoints and time periods. He was a prolific author publishing 25 books and scores of articles,
primarily on the use and effects of color in the workplace. As a collector, Mr. Birren's particular focus was on color systems
and nomenclature as well as the more humanistic aspects of color theory. He began his collection in the early part of the
20th century, donated it to the Art+Architecture Library in 1971, and remained an active force in shaping the collection until
his death in 1988.
The Faber Birren Collection of Books on Color is particularly strong in color systems, color standards, and color nomencla-
ture. Color theory, artists' manuals and treatises, and color techniques are also well represented. In addition, the collection has
materials on vision, psychology, printing and the graphic arts, textiles, music, religion, biology, medicine, heraldry, and the
occult. The collection has materials ranging from the 16th century to the contemporary with important editions by Renee
Descartes, Isaac Newton, Moses Harris, M.E.Chevreul, and C.S Greenough, among others. The Faber Birren Collection of
Books on Color is considered one of, if not the, foremost gathering of works on color.
|
![Nicola di Rienzi Monachesi. A Manual for China Painters. Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard co., [c1907].](imgs/home/home_mainimg_02.jpg "Nicola di Rienzi Monachesi. A Manual for China Painters. Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard co., [c1907].")