PIGMENT: Prussian Blue

In 1704, an accidental discovery inspired an obsession. Attempting a red pigment, color maker Johann Jacob Diesbach produced a vivid, deep blue unlike anything the world had ever seen. It spread across Europe, changed painting forever, and became known as Prussian Blue. Alongside vivid watercolor samples from Dutch artist Boogert, Repast traces this pigment’s story through the intertwined worlds of music, art, science, and commerce with music by Graun, Handel, Schaffrath, C.P.E. Bach, and Princess Wilhelmine von Bayreuth.