From ancient Egypt, where artisans fused copper and sand into a brilliant blue used to color the tombs of pharaohs, to renaissance Europe's ultramarine, ground from lapis lazuli and reserved for the robes of the Virgin Mary, blue was once a mark of luxury.

From ancient China, where ground cinnabar colored the lacquered thrones and ceremonial vessels of the imperial court, to Renaissance Europe's cochineal, a crimson dye pressed from Mexican insects and reserved for the robes of cardinals, red was the sign of prestige.