Farben

Farben is the German word for colors. In a general sense, colors describe the perceptual experience produced by light wavelengths within the visible spectrum and interpreted by the human visual system. The physics of color rests on light, typically around 380 to 750 nanometers, and the response of cone cells in the retina. Color perception can be influenced by lighting, context, and material properties, a phenomenon known as color constancy.

Color mixing and models are central to understanding Farben. Additive color mixing uses light, combining red, green, and blue to produce white; this is used in displays and digital media. Subtractive mixing uses pigments or dyes, combining cyan, magenta, and yellow (and black in print) to absorb light and create darker colors. Practical primaries vary by domain, with screen technology typically relying on RGB and printing relying on CMYK.

Pigments and dyes describe the materials behind many colors. Historically, natural pigments were derived from minerals and plants; synthetic pigments expanded the range and stability of colors from the 19th century onward. Properties of colorants include lightfastness, opacity or transparency, and hue. Dyes dissolve in fibers or media, while pigments are particulate and often mixed with binders for durability.

Perception and language note how people experience color. Humans typically have three types of cone photoreceptors, and color vision can be affected by genetics or vision deficiencies. Color naming and categorization vary across languages and cultures, influencing how Farben is discussed and described.

Standards and color spaces provide a framework for measurement. The CIE XYZ standard observer underpins objective color measurement; sRGB is a common digital color space; CMYK is used for printing, while CIELAB offers perceptual color-difference assessments.

In German-speaking contexts, Farben serves as a broad term in art, design, science, and everyday speech to denote hues, tints, and tones.