New insights into an answer to Ferdinand Bauer’s colour code for the ‘Flora’ and ‘Fauna Graeca’ (1786–1794)

The answer to the enduring puzzle of the enigmatic colour code used by Ferdinand Bauer, when making his exceptional illustrations for John Sibthorp’s ‘Flora’ and ‘Fauna Graeca’, suggested that each of his notations directed him to a particular pigment in his paintbox, and also provided directions about the consistency of the paint, and how it should be applied. These discoveries are the foundation of this further discussion which re-appraises the code’s reach and subtlety, in new revelations about how Bauer used his annotations in combination, to accommodate his working method. Also included are further insights into Bauer’s conception, identification, and recall of colour and texture, independent confirmation of the structure identified in Bauer’s mnemonic, and some refinements in the interpretation of codes.