We present to the attention of readers a book by the great German poet, philosopher and naturalist Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749–1832), containing his teaching on color. The author begins his work with a consideration of various physiological and natural phenomena that influence human visual perception of the world around him, and then moves on to a historical analysis of the doctrine of color, turning to both the theories of ancient times and the teachings of modern times, in particular, he examines and examines criticism of Newton's theory of colors. In addition, the book, in the section entitled “Theory of Knowledge,” contains articles and sketches from different years, as well as aphorisms by J. W. Goethe, which help create a portrait of the personality of the great poet and thinker. The book will be of interest to both specialists - physiologists, psychologists, philosophers, art historians, and a wide range of readers.