"Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing?" asks Picasso. Why indeed?

The houses on the Venetian island of Burano are painted brilliant colors, ostensibly so that the fishermen can see their homes on the return journey from the sea. Laundry, curtains, awnings, boats, buckets and mops all add to the pastiche of color that is unique to Burano.

Through photographs and quotations from artists and writers about color, this book finds that color on Burano not only sings, it also clangs, clashes and charms.