Episode notes
How do the colours artists choose – and the ways each of us experience them – help us find a story? Join Beks and author Chloë Ashby as they take a closer look at how to ‘read’ colour in some of the National Gallery’s most iconic paintings. From Van Gogh to Caravaggio, they examine how different artists use colour to guide narrative, shape meaning and even evoke emotion. Whether you’re an art lover or new to art history, uncover hints and tips for how to decode your favourite paintings through colour. ------- Chloë is an author and award-winning arts critic. She is the author of Wet Paint…
Podcast
Stories in Colour
The National Gallery · Arts & Books · English
These are the stories of how colour has changed the world. 'Stories in Colour’ is a vibrant new podcast from the National Gallery in London. In each episode, we uncover the hidden mysteries woven into colour from antiquity to the present day. Along the way, you'll hear from curators, scienti
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S2 · E8 · 8 Jul 2026 · 58 min
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S2 · E7 · 1 Jul 2026 · 36 min
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S2 · E6 · 24 Jun 2026 · 50 min
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S2 · E4 · 10 Jun 2026 · 51 min
The mauve measles: when purple went viral
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S2 · E3 · 3 Jun 2026 · 42 min
Deadly chemical cousins: oranges and yellows
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S2 · E2 · 27 May 2026 · 52 min
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S2 · E1 · 20 May 2026 · 53 min
What is synaesthesia? Can you hear colour?
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Stories in Colour Returns – Series 2 Trailer
What does colour sound like? Why was mauve the brat green of the Victorian era? And is pink really just for girls? Welcome back to another series of 'Stories in Colour', the National Gallery's vibrant podcast. Join us on a journey that travels from mines in Afghanistan, to the East End of Victorian London. Hear from curators, scientists, historians and artists, for fresh perspectives and unexpected discoveries. The first episode of series two is out now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/podcast
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