kleurlagen

Kleurlagen is a term used in Dutch to refer to distinct layers in a material or surface that differ in color. The concept covers both man-made and natural strata where color differences arise from composition, treatment, or aging. The term derives from kleur (color) and laag (layer).

In the arts and design, kleurlagen are central to painting, glazing, and printmaking. Painters apply successive color layers to build depth and luminosity; glazes are thin transparent layers that alter the color of underlying tones. In printmaking and photography, color layers correspond to separations or digital layers used to compose final imagery; printers use multiple color layers (for example CMYK) to reproduce color.

In textiles and surface decoration, colored layers are applied via dyeing, painting, or coating to create patterns and textures.

In geology, kleurlagen can describe color bands in rocks and sediment, caused by mineral content, weathering, or diagenetic processes, often revealing historical environmental conditions.

In conservation and restoration, analysts study pigment layers to determine an artwork's chronology and plan interventions.

Kleurlagen thus describe both the visible and underlying color structure of objects, artworks, and natural materials, and are examined across disciplines to understand composition, history, and technique.