Color theory: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:30, 25 December 2024

Revision as of 21:14, 4 January 2025

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{{Use American English|date=August 2016}}

'''Color theory''', or more specifically '''traditional color theory''', is the historical body of knowledge describing the behavior of colors, namely in [[color mixing]], [[color contrast]] effects, [[color harmony]], [[color scheme]]s and [[color symbolism]].<ref name="Handprint1">{{cite web |last1=MacEvoy |first1=Bruce |title=Color Theory |url=https://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html |website=Handprint |access-date=8 February 2024}}</ref> Modern color theory is generally referred to as [[Colorcolor science]]. While there is no clear distinction in scope, traditional color theory tends to be more subjective and have artistic applications, while color science tends to be more objective and have functional applications, such as in chemistry, astronomy or [[color reproduction]]. Color theory dates back at least as far as [[Aristotle]]'s treatise ''[[On Colors]]''. A formalization of "color theory" began in the 18th century, initially within a partisan controversy over [[Isaac Newton]]'s theory of color (''[[Opticks]]'', 1704) and the nature of primary colors. By the end of the 19th century, a schism had formed between traditional color theory and color science.

== History ==