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My personal color theory revolves around the wonder and richness of black and white. I can fully understand the benefits of color. The ability of the artists to more closely recreate life.  The entertainment and enjoyment of those viewing the piece etc etc etc.  Still, for me, there is nothing like the effect of black and white!

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In the 21st century we have all become accostomed to the use of computers for everything.  Color theory has its applications in the computer world as well.  From graphic design to the wide world of computer gaming color theory is essential to these computer applicaitons.

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Chevreul's research into the chemistry of fats earned him the title "Father of Lipid Chemistry"  Through his research he discovered and named two of the fatty acids which are thought to be building blocks of all fats.  These acids would be oleic and steric acids.  Though much that has been discovered about lipids since Chevreul has been debunked and found to be untrue, Chevruels work remains the foundation of lipid research. 

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The future applications are color theory are as far reaching as our wildest imaginings.  The image above is one in which sounds are represented by the variations in color.  We will see all sorts of technicological use of color theory.  Maybe even a space aged mood ring.

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This statue of Chevreul was erected in Paris in 1901.  It serves as a tangible reminder of how his work has reached far beyond the boundries of his life. His theories reach out to artists from the Neo-Impressionist period until present.

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                                    The concept of Chevreul's illusion is clearly illustrated above.
                              Notice the bright edges that exist between each of these values of blue.

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           Georges Seurat's great masterpiece, "Sunday Afternoon On The Island of la Grande Jatte." This painting is done with the use of quite a number of colors placed up close enough to eachother to form the detailed portrait above.  This technique was inspired by the works of Michel Eug'ene Chevreul.

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Chevreul has placed 72 colors in the form of a hemisphere with relationships between tones and shades.  This use of darkening or lightening colors with black and or white was alluringly called the "nero" factor.

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After accepting an appointment as Professor of Chemistry at Lycee Charlemagne in 1813, Michel took on the Directorship of Gobelins Tapestry Works.  During his tenure at the factory he received many complaints about the dyes that were being used by the factory.  At this time he began his research into color and color theory.  He discovered that the color that a particular yarn appeared was effected by the color of the surrounding yarn.  This was the birth of the concept of simultaneous contrast.

Michel Eug'ene Chevreul 1

1. Michel Eug'ene Chevreul was born August  31 of 1786 in Anger's France.  He died on the 9th of April 1889 in Paris.  Michel was 102 when he died.  One of the most amazing things about this man was that he lived and worked for the full length of his life.  He had as many note worthy accomplishments in his nineties and past one hundred as he did in his thirties. He is  known as "the Father of Lipid Chemistry."  He is seen here in his lab, possibly when he was discovering and naming crutial  fatty acids.

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