Published in 1790, Tratado das Cores is exactly what its title promises: a detailed treatise on color. Written by Diogo de Carvalho e Sampaio, a Portuguese magistrate stationed in Brazil, it's a systematic effort to document and explain the entire spectrum of visible colors.

The Story

There isn't a traditional plot with characters. Instead, the 'story' is the author's intellectual journey. Sampaio builds his treatise like a scientist constructing a reference manual. He starts by defining what color is, then moves through meticulous classifications. He lists and describes hundreds of colors, often giving them precise names and linking them to elements in nature, like minerals, plants, and animal dyes. He doesn't just stop at cataloging; he explains how colors mix, how light affects them, and how they are perceived. The book is a snapshot of a moment when old ideas about color were starting to bump up against new scientific discoveries.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its perspective. Sampaio wasn't writing from a Parisian salon or a London laboratory. He was in colonial Brazil, pulling together knowledge from European texts, local indigenous practices, and his own observations. Reading it, you get a sense of one man's drive to create order from chaos. His writing has a tangible passion—a genuine awe for the variety of colors in the natural world. It's less a dry textbook and more a thoughtful, personal project to make sense of beauty. You see the 18th-century mind at work, trying to apply reason and system to something fundamentally experiential.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history buffs who love primary sources, or for anyone fascinated by the history of science and ideas. It's also a great pick for artists or designers curious about historical color theory. It's not a fast-paced read; it's a book to savor slowly, almost like visiting a museum exhibit. If you enjoy peeking over the shoulder of someone from the past as they puzzle out their world, Tratado das Cores offers a unique and quietly captivating window into the 18th century.