What does the term 'spectrum' refer to in art and color theory?

The term 'spectrum' in art and color theory specifically refers to a sequence of visible colors that can be seen in a rainbow or created when light is refracted through a prism. This sequence includes colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Understanding the spectrum is vital for artists, as it forms the basis for how colors interact, complement, and contrast with one another in compositions.

When artists create works involving color, they often reference the spectrum to choose harmonious color palettes or to explore chromatic relationships. The concept of the color spectrum is essential in both the study of light and color mixing, particularly in pigment and paint. This is why the identification of 'spectrum' as a sequence of visible colors is accurate and aligns with principles in color theory.