Coleur

/koʊˈlɜːr/ noun

Definition

A person who colors something, especially in historical contexts such as hand-coloring manuscripts or prints.

Etymology

From French 'couleur' (color) + '-eur' (one who does). The word entered English through Old French during the medieval period when hand-coloring was a skilled profession.

Kelly Says

Before printing presses could reproduce colors, coleurs were essential artists who hand-painted each book or print—a job so tedious that scribes and printers got paid extra when color was involved!

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