In the 19th century, the birth of Impressionism brought about a subversion in the use of colors, and one of the most important elements was the contrast and complementarity of colors. Claude Monet used his outstanding skills to use the complementary colors of orange and blue with ease, which made his works stunning and redefined the expression of color.
The impact of color often comes from contrast rather than from its inherent qualities.
This quote is a great insight into how contrast between colors can create stunning visual effects. For Monet, the combination of orange and blue is not only a stage for the display of colors, but also an expression of emotions. In 1886 he painted his famous Impression, Sunrise, in which he carefully combined the fiery orange sunlight with a cool blue background to show the play of light and shadow in nature.
In this painting, morning mist reflects off the water, with faint orange light dancing on the blue waves. "Impression, Sunrise" not only laid the tone for Impressionism, but also became a classic example of color contrast for later artists.
The power of colors lies in their contrast, not in their intrinsic qualities.
From a color theory perspective, complementary colors are colors that are located opposite each other on the color wheel. This color combination can create the strongest visual contrast and make each other appear more distinct. In the hands of Impressionist painters, the combination of orange and blue not only enhances each other's luster, but also conveys a vivid emotion.
Monet's use of color reflects his keen insight into light. He realized that placing complementary colors together could enhance the movement and depth of the picture, showing unique layers of color in both the blue sky and the orange water.
Members of the Impressionist movement were interested in new developments in color theory and explored these new ideas in their own work. Other artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh also actively used the contrast between orange and blue to create stunning paintings. Renoir used his bright orange to depict natural scenes, while Van Gogh used this color and its complementary colors to express extreme emotions.
I am trying to find the contrast between blue and orange, the contrast between red and green, the contrast between yellow and purple.
This exploration led Van Gogh to create The Night Café, in which the strong contrast of red and green conveys a profound understanding of human emotion. The color combinations in these paintings not only easily attract the audience's attention, but also prompt them to reflect on the mysterious relationship between light and color.
Modern color theory also explains how these complementary colors can be used to create a sense of light and space. Through scientific research, we understand how colors interact with each other in different environments and even form visual afterimages:
After staring at a color, we temporarily see an afterimage of its complementary color when we turn our eyes toward a white background.
This phenomenon explains the impact of color on the visual system and provides artists with more creative inspiration. Monet and his contemporaries had mastered this, using the complementary nature of colors to enhance the appeal and emotional depth of the picture.
The revolutionary use of orange and blue allowed Impressionism to lead a revolution in visual art. This is not just a combination of colors, but also the artist's interpretation of life and observation of the world. The warmth of orange and the calmness of blue are interwoven on the canvas to create works that are rich in emotion and colorful.
Through Monet's works, we not only see the beauty of color contrast, but also feel the pulse of life, which makes us reflect: In our lives, can the combination of color and emotion make us feel as excited as their paintings?