He was stumped on the colors he wanted to include in the rug and his experiments of adding and subtracting colors led him to discover the effect created by one change of color on the remaining colors in the rug design. However, people were quick to identify that the Bezold Effect wasn’t any different than the concept of simultaneous color contrast.
The Bezold Effect vs. Simultaneous Color Contrast
The simultaneous color contrast and the Bezold Effect may sound similar, but they have one stark difference that needs to be cleared. In the simultaneous color contrast, a color takes on the hue and brightness of its surrounding colors. In the Bezold Effect, a colored region changes its color depending on the colors that encircle it. Unlike its counterpart, the Bezold Effect only works under certain circumstances. From here on, people’s fascination with the changing hue of the surrounding colors became evident.
The Mystery Surrounding the Color Change
When simultaneous color contrast effect was discovered, scientists explained that it was due to the excitation function in the perception of color and lateral inhibition, which was related to brightness perception.
However, scientists were never able to clarify the theory behind the Bezold Effect with some stating that it could be possible via spatial frequency dynamics that state which effect, contrast, and assimilation will occur. Even though scientists’ weren’t able to give a clear explanation as to what happens, people remained transfixed at seeing two different pictures and its effect on the surrounding colors.
There are two pictures, both have red lines running across it with the only difference being the background colors, one is black while the other is white. What do you think will happen? The red line that’s going across will appear lighter on the picture with the white background in comparison to the picture with the black background. Let’s look at another example. Below is the Green and Orange Optical Spy color illusion.
When viewing this example, keep the concepts of the Bezold Effect clear in your mind. Now, focus your attention on the example. The words are both exactly the same shade of orange but because of the Bezold effect the word SPY looks darker than the word OPTICAL.
Did the Bezold Effect leave you puzzled, as it has done in the past to many others? If it did, we hope it made you feel charmed and amazed.