According to the author's preface, the following work contains "many of the chief facts connected with the origin, the phenomena, and the employment of Colour." The work's early chapters discuss topics concerning electromagnetic radiation generally, including explanations of concepts such as adsorption, absorption, reflection, transmission, refraction, and dispersion of light. Later chapters delve into specific characteristics of the visible spectrum, such as color description, primary colors, complementary colors, color modification by atmospheric light, and the chromatic circle. The volume contains 37 illustrations, including 5 color plates.

Author, Arthur Herbert Church (1834-1915) was a British chemist, artist, and professor. In his lifetime, Church became an expert on pottery, stones, and the chemistry of paintings. He also discovered the naturally occurring red pigment, Turacin, as well as several minerals.