Il fascino eterno del blu per Penelope Tessuti

The Eternal Charm of Blue

Let's explore the History, Meanings and Anecdotes with Penelope Tessuti

Blue, with its roots in the French term "bleu," has a compelling history that has shaped the Italian language, giving birth to the words "blu" and "blé." A journey through shades that vary from navy to light blue, with French embracing a wide chromatic spectrum.

In ancient times, the distinction between blue and black was subtle, with the Greek term "kuaneon" encompassing both shades. This ambiguity was reflected in the languages ​​of the time, creating lasting terminological confusion.

Blue matching Penelope fabrics

While Greeks and Romans dyed little in blue, Celts and Germans embraced woad, a European herbaceous plant, to immerse their fabrics in shades of blue. But it is in the Near East that indigo, a coloring material unknown in the West, is imported.

Blue, full of political meaning, was redeemed by Charlemagne, elevating it to a royal color. This color conquered the courts of Europe and found a place in heraldry, symbolizing "faith, justice and loyalty." However, throughout history, it has taken on different nuances, representing the republican victory during the French Revolution and, subsequently, becoming a symbol of Chinese communism.

blue cushions and curtains by Penelope fabrics

Blue is omnipresent in fashion and furniture today, conquering our imagination. Penelope Tessuti celebrates the tradition and elegance of blue with its handcrafted cushions, bringing the serenity of this enveloping color into your home.

"Prussian blue," which emerged by chance in 1709 in Berlin, revolutionized the world of dyes. Johann Konrad Dippel, selling a cochineal decoction, discovered that potash adulterated with ferrous sulphate produced a splendid blue color. Dippel, a shrewd chemist and entrepreneur, marketed "Berlin blue," which soon became "Prussian blue." This discovery, which remained secret for years, changed the European chromatic panorama, becoming a milestone in the history of dyes.

Blue, with its psychological nuances, represents sadness in dark tones and seriousness in intermediate shades. Penelope Tessuti invites you to experience the enveloping comfort and artisanal quality of its products, transforming your space into a haven of style and well-being.

Blue is more than a color, it is an experience, a story that spans centuries and continents. With Penelope Tessuti, immerse yourself in this narrative, embrace modernity and give your environment a touch of elegance and comfort.

Bed sets in blue by Penelope Tessuti

As we explore the various facets of blue, it's worth noting all of its fascinating designations. With blue and bleu, in addition to numerous combinations such as bleu acier, bleu horizon, bleu ciel and others, we are immersed in a world of fascinating shades. These nomenclatures are often forgotten in favor of equally suggestive Italian names, such asoltremare, indigo, sapphire, azzurro, azzurrino, celeste, biadetto, glauco, verdazzurro, grigiozzurro, ardesia, cobalto, cilestrino, cerulo, ceruleo, and many others.

These poetic shades transform blue into a symphony of colors, each with its own unique personality. From midnight blue to porcelain blue, from pastel blue to jade blue, these color definitions evoke distinct emotions and images. Quoting from Cesare Meano's 1936 Commentary on the Italian Dictionary of Fashion, we can find suggestive expressions such as dark blue, crockery blue, lunar blue, Madonna blue and others, which tell visual and symbolic stories.

Blue accessories and curtains by Penelope Tessuti

The world of blue is further enriched with terms like "turchiniccio," "turchinello," "fiordilino," and "fioraliso," each contributing a unique twist to blue's vast vocabulary. This wealth of names, as pointed out by Meano, is sometimes lost in the turmoil of modern fashion, but Penelope Tessuti celebrates this variety of nuances with its range of handcrafted products. Each cushion becomes a story of color, enriching your space with the elegance and diversity of blue. 

Back to blog