Kleurappearance

Kleurappearance is a term used in color science and perceptual psychology to denote the perceived color of a surface or light source under a specific set of viewing conditions, including illumination, viewing geometry, and observer state. It combines the physical properties of the scene, such as the spectral reflectance of surfaces and the spectral power distribution of the light, with perceptual processes like chromatic adaptation and color constancy. Because appearance depends on context, two physically different stimuli can appear the same under one lighting condition and different under another—a phenomenon known as metamerism.

In practice, color appearance is described with models that translate physical measurements into perceptual attributes such as hue, lightness, and chroma. These models aim to predict how a stimulus will be perceived when illumination changes, or when the surround, observer adaptation, or other conditions vary. Prominent examples include the CIECAM02 and CAM16 families of color appearance models, which attempt to account for adaptation and contextual effects in a systematic way.

Measurement and application of kleurappearance occur across several fields. In imaging and display technology, color appearance models guide color management and calibration. In photography, printing, and product design, they support faithful reproduction of appearance under target lighting. In architectural lighting and visual merchandising, they help optimize perceived color quality and consistency in real-world environments.

Linguistically, kleurappearance is often used in Dutch-language literature as a direct translation of “color appearance.” The concept spans interdisciplinary work, linking physical optics with perceptual psychology to explain how humans experience color under varying conditions.