It’s time to get coloring!
In 2014, the New York Academy of Medicine offered a coloring book featuring brilliant historical images–and invited the community to get involved! Now, in 2016, the Dittrick joins NYAM, Biological Heritage Library, and others in a week-long special collections coloring fest: #ColorOurCollections! We post a PDF “coloring book” and invite you, our readers and visitors, to color your own and then share on social media!
WHEN: Feb 1-Feb 5
WHAT: Post your hand-colorations to social media using the #ColorOurCollections hashtag and @DittrickMuseum
Special collections provide excellent possibilities. Why? Because many early illustrated books were intended to be colored by hand. Have a look at our Instagram–you’ll be taking part in a longstanding tradition!
We pulled heavily from our herbals collection from the 15th to 18th centuries. Book owners added their own spin to printed images, so we hope you’ll be inspired by the multi-hued variety between these two editions of Fuchs’ Kreuterbuch (1542 on the left, 1543 to the left). These images of the books’ artists (the men who drew and carved the woodcuts) can be found in @nyamhistory’s coloring book. We look forward to seeing your interpretations!