Magenta

What it is

Magenta is not a single spectral band like green or yellow. It is a perceptual bridge between red and blue-violet, and it became especially important through synthetic dyes and print systems.

Basics

• Magenta is one of the three CMY subtractive primaries.
• On RGB screens, magenta appears when red and blue light are high while green is low.
• It can read as electric, artificial, floral, theatrical, or fashionable.

Notes for later expansion

• Later expansion should connect magenta to mauveine, aniline dyes, printing, and modern branding.
• Magenta is a useful place to explain non-spectral colors.

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