The Meaning & Symbolism of Color in Visual Art
By KBR
Photography by Alexander_Evgenyevich | Shutterstock
Color is an integral part of visual art, impacting its overall look and feel. When creating, choosing colors is so important that it can have the power to can transform your art piece into a masterpiece. Different colors evoke different emotions and energies, making them powerful symbols in artwork.
Yellow
Yellow is commonly associated with happiness and joy, as well as hope and optimism. It can also be seen as a sign of caution or danger. In many cultures, yellow represents the sun god, symbolizing vitality and life-giving power. Leonardo da Vinci used this color to represent light in his Mona Lisa masterpiece.
“Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, Image Provided by GiorgioMorara | Adobe Stock
Blue
Blue expresses peace and tranquility. Light blue may evoke feelings of calmness or serenity, while dark blues suggest authority and structure. Blue can also be seen as a symbol for loyalty or faithfulness. Throughout history, it has been used to represent sadness or sorrow; for example, in Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting, The Starry Night.
Orange
The warm colors of orange evoke feelings of enthusiasm and excitement. Orange has strong associations with creativity and playfulness; it can be both energetic and calming at the same time. Orange is often seen as a celebration of life– a reminder that even during difficult times, there is always something to be thankful for.
Purple
Purple evokes a sense of luxury and wealth, as well as spirituality. It has long been associated with royalty; in art it can be used to represent power and strength. Light purple often symbolizes femininity and gentleness, while dark shades suggest majesty and grandeur.
Red
Red is often associated with passion and energy, as well as love and anger. It can denote power, courage, and strength or it can express danger and fear. Red has been used throughout the ages to create a sense of intensity in artworks– from ancient Greek murals to Renaissance paintings to modern abstracts.
Image by Mukanoff | Shutterstock
Pink
Pink is often seen as a lighthearted color; full of sweetness, innocence, and joy. It can also connote feelings of tenderness and romanticism. Throughout history, pink has been used to signify love– from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to traditional Japanese woodblock prints.
Black
Black is the absence of all color; however, it can still evoke powerful emotions in artwork. It is typically associated with death and sorrow, but can also represent elegance and sophistication; for example, in the work of many contemporary abstract painters.
White
White is often seen as a symbol of purity and innocence. It can be used to represent cleanliness or emptiness, but it also has associations with spiritual enlightenment and connection with nature.
Brown
Brown is a warm, earthy color that can evoke feelings of security and comfort. The color brown is often associated with nature; for example, in the art of Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, who both utilized this hue extensively in landscape paintings.
Photography by Pixel-Shot | Adobe Stock
Grey
Grey can be interpreted as an expression of neutrality or balance between two extremes– light and dark, good and evil. It also suggests maturity and wisdom; for example, in the works of Pablo Picasso where he used different shades of grey to evoke a sense of contemplative mood.
The symbolism and meaning of color in art can be interpreted differently based on the context, but regardless of its interpretation, color plays an important role in visual art. By understanding its power and potential, artists can create meaningful works that will resonate with viewers for generations to come. Color is truly an essential part of artwork– full of life, emotion and beauty.
