Materials

for the

History of Color Theory.

But let the student of philosophy consider that the investigation of hidden things is not the work of a single century; often truth, coming as it were by stealth into view, and offended by the negligence of philosophers, suddenly withdraws itself again, not deigning to grant men a mere sight of her, unless they be dutiful and industrious. original: "Atqui perpendat philosophiae cultor, rerum abstrusarum investigationem non unius esse seculi; saepe veritas furtim quasi in conspectum veniens, negligentia philosophorum offensa subito se rursum subducit, non dignata homines sui conspectu mero, nisi officiosos et industrios." This Latin epigraph is from the 17th-century scientist and Jesuit priest Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who discovered the diffraction of light.

Second Volume

First, Historical Part.

The term "Materialien" (Materials) suggests a collection of sources and documents rather than a finished narrative, while "Farbenlehre" (Color Theory) refers to Goethe's comprehensive study of how we perceive color.