Iridescence: the Play of Colours

This book introduces and explains the mysterious capacity of the human eye to perceive the beautiful effects of iridescence, or non-pigmented colour, on a wide range of phenomena that seldom fail to capture our attention, and have particular applications in art and the environment. In this book, the shimmer of iridescent colours - on ancient glass, abalone and pearl shells, soap bubbles and oil slicks, rainbows, feathers of the peacock and rifle bird, butterfly wings and even computer discs - is both explained scientifically and presented via a range of spectacular images drawn from the natural world and the realm of world art. Iridescence is an important component in the arts of the Asia-Pacific region and Indigenous art of Australia, where pearl shell is frequently a major component and iridescent feathers are a feature of ceremonial dress. Iridescence is irresistible and wondrous to human eyes.