The history of paint is filled with intriguing stories. In The Anatomy of Colour (Thames & Hudson), Patrick Baty recounts several such anecdotes, each tied together by desire, risk and a quest for perfection. During the 18th century, Prussian Blue was considered an “extraordinary colour” that cost twice as much as other hues. In Germany, Vermilion Red, of which “there was nothing quite like”, was produced by combining sulphur and mercury, and was also used as a sedative. It wasn’t until 1880 that William Morris stopped using poisonous Arsenic Green in his iconic wallpapers. Today, similarly intoxicating jewel tones are the hallmark of Andrea Torres Balaguer’s (b. 1990) photographic portraits. The pictures could easily be mistaken for classical oil paintings. Garnet red and emerald green are backdrops for gold silk blouses and deep velvet gowns. A single, confident brush stroke cuts straight across each face, cloaking the subject in anonymity. andreatorresbalaguer.com

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Image credits:

1. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Marmalade (2018).

2. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Vermilion (2022).

3. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Satin (2023).

4. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Umbra (2019).

5. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Velvet (2017).

6. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Bloom (2019).

7. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Candle (2020).

8. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Azure (2018).

9. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Tango (2023).

10. Andrea Torres Balaguer, Allure (2019).

11. ndrea Torres Balaguer, Satsuma (2021).