chromatic herbarium book captures a vivid living collection of the hues of nature

a photo book by massimo gardone and alessandra muran

Massimo Gardone and Alessandra Muran’s Chromatic Herbarium has transformed the common practice of sampling a digitally recorded image into a dynamic and creative tool to show the infinite nuances of color. The collection is many things: a living and vivid herbarium capturing the colors of nature with elements collected and photographed at their freshest, but also an evocative photo book that suggests continuous action. Published by Corraini and edited by Francesco Messina, the book comprises forty-two chromatic plates that invite exploration into the intricate hues of petals, leaves, branches, and other natural components, enhancing the visual experience with the graphic artist’s eye.

all images courtesy of Alessandra Muran

chromatic herbarium captures the most vivid hues of nature

The accompanying texts of Chromatic Herbarium include an essay by Beppe Finessi and Francesco Messina, along with reflections by landscape designer Matteo LaCivita. These contributions delve into the naturalistic observation of colors, branching out to encompass discussions on painting, music, and other art forms that rely indispensably on the spectrum of color. Compact, lightweight, and limitless, the visual plates of the book by Italian creators Massimo Gardone and Alessandra Muran presents an entire palette of nature’s colors, nuanced in countless shades and infinitely combinable.

Chromatic Herbarium | plate n. 28

a photo book by Massimo Gardone and Alessandra Muran | hydrangea

digitally recorded images transformed into a creative tool | plate n. 33

the creators capture the colors of nature at their freshest | plate n. 41

chromatic atlas

42chromatic plates invite exploration into the intricate hues of petals, leaves, branches, and more

project info:

name: Chromatic Herbarium
designer: Massimo Gardone, Alessandra Muran
publisher: Corraini 

contributors: Beppe Finessi, Francesco Messina, Matteo LaCivita

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom