nude in bath, pierre bonnard
First, a disclaimer. My entire scientific knowledge could be stuffed into a thimble with plenty of left over room for my finger. Frankly, the idea of atoms and molecules etc. has eluded me from High School Chemisty until this day. But occasionally a little scientific tidbit comes into my orbit which can't go unnoticed.
Witness human tetrochromacy, or a fourth retinal color cone. According to Wikipedia:
One study suggested that 2–3% of the world's women might have the kind of fourth cone that lies between the standard red and green cones, giving, theoretically, a significant increase in color differentiation.Another study suggests that as many as 50% of women and 8% of men may have four photopigments.
In short, some of us can see lots more colors that others. According to one UK researcher who has absolutely identified one tetrachromatic woman in Northern England, tetrachromatics can perceive some 95 million more colors that the average Joe.
In my mind, unscientific as it is, stitchers and other artists and crafters are just tuned into this world that others are oblivious to. Au ver a soie silks, Gloriana overdyes and DMC 6 strands are made because of us !
A few years ago I became transfixed on a Bonnard painting in a gallery. Something about all those colors together just fired every darn neuron in my brain. It was lovely and exhausting. But the phenomenon is not confined to only masterpieces...a mosaic, a deluxe box of crayons or a lipstick display can just rock my world.
I am wondering if any of you have similar impressions, maybe say 2-3% of you? So cool when science makes sense...