Bezold Effect
A masterclass in how black vs white surroundings can dramatically shift a color's lightness.
🧐 What do you see?▼
Compare the orange bars on the left (surrounded by white) with the orange bars on the right (surrounded by black). The bars on the white background appear much lighter and more fragile. The bars on the black background appear deeper, darker, and more saturated.
🧠 Why this works▼
Named after Wilhelm von Bezold, this is a form of Spatial Color Assimilation. Instead of contrasting with its background, the foreground color "soaks up" the properties of the surrounding lines.
The black lines "tint" the orange darker, while the white lines "wash out" the orange, making it look lighter. This is the opposite of the "Simultaneous Contrast" effect where black usually makes things look lighter.
🧪 Try variations▼
- Vary Intensity: Changing the intensity alters the saturation of the orange. Notice how the effect is strongest when the orange is very vibrant.
- Focus: Try staring at the central line. Does one side seem "thicker" than the other?
❓ FAQ▼
Why specify Bezold vs other assimilations?
The Bezold effect is specifically about the "spreading" of lightness values (black/white) into a hue, whereas other illusions focus on hue-to-hue mixing.