Michel Pastoureau

About the Author

Michel Pastoureau is a renowned French medievalist and historian specializing in the cultural and symbolic dimensions of colors throughout history. A former director of studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, he has dedicated his career to unraveling the profound influence of hues on society, religion, and art from antiquity to the modern era. Pastoureau's meticulous research draws on a vast array of sources, including medieval manuscripts, heraldry, and folklore, to reveal how colors shaped identities, power structures, and daily life. His seminal work, Red: The History of a Color, exemplifies his ability to blend scholarly rigor with engaging narrative, making complex historical insights accessible to a wide audience. Through his writings, Pastoureau illuminates the often overlooked role of color in human experience, challenging readers to see the world anew.