written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolche
Imagine stepping into a gallery. The room is bathed in an otherworldly glow — subtle, shifting hues that seem to bend and shimmer before your eyes. As you walk closer, the colors deepen and the light intensifies, transforming the blank walls into a living, breathing experience. For a moment, time feels suspended. You ask yourself, ”How can something as simple as light and color evoke such a powerful, almost mystical sensation?”
This experience is not unique. Throughout history, artists have wielded light and color like magicians, turning ordinary materials into gateways to another world. From the dramatic contrasts of chiaroscuro to the ethereal glow of contemporary installations, light and color have always had the power to captivate and mesmerize. But what is it about these two fundamental elements that make them so enchanting? Why do certain combinations of light and color have the ability to stir emotions and transport us into a state of wonder?
How did artists, both past and present, unlock the mysterious magic of light and color? By uncovering the alchemy behind their techniques, we can answer the question: What is the true power of light and color in art, and how do they transform not just what we see — but how we feel?
