Blue on Blue: Indigo and Cobalt in New Spain opens May 8. Blue on Blue: Indigo and Cobalt in New Spain will explore the use and importance of blue dyes and pigments in colonial life and the continued popularity of blue among the traditional arts of today. From images of the Virgin Mary to household blankets, ceramics, and friar's tunics, blue was an integral part of the colonial world. The desire for blue-and-white ceramics led to a near 300-year monopoly for the workshops of New Spain creating pottery in imitation of Chinese porcelains. The qualities of a blue pigment he found being used at Zuni pueblo led Spanish adventurer Bernardo Miera y Pacheco to write to Spain about the importance and economic potential of 'Zuni blue.' Indigo, then as now, was widely used by weavers and was the prominent color in many New Mexican and native textiles. The pervasive popularity of blue over the centuries is reflected in a diverse array of stunning pieces.