On Colors (Greek Περὶ χρωμάτων; Latin De Coloribus) is a treatise attributed to Aristotle[1] but sometimes ascribed to Theophrastus or Strato.
The work outlines the theory that all colors (yellow, red, purple, blue, and green) are derived from mixtures of black and white.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 1.1[2] Aristotle writes that black appears in three different ways.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus The second section of On Colors gives a description of mixtures and starts with examples of red and purple.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 2.1[2] Aristotle theorizes that simple colors are the result of mixtures between varying levels of light and either black or white.
Different light and shade quantities result in wide variations of a single color.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 3.2[2] The fourth section is the shortest and briefly describes dyeing.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 4.1[2] The fifth section starts by describing in detail the color of plants.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 6.1[2] The hair and feathering of people and animals are directly related to the color of skin as well as other features like hooves, bills, horns, and talons.
The food supply that runs beneath the surface greatly impacts what color an organism will take.
Pseudo-Aristotle, de Coloribus 6.2[2] In babies and the elderly, they have whiter hair and skin due to weakness and lack of sustenance flowing through them.
Black creatures are typically stronger than white ones, the dark color displays an abundance of sustenance which makes them more nourished.