What Can We Learn from the Masters? Color Schemas on Paintings as the Source for Color Ranges Applicable in Cartography

Abstract

The technology boost in the second half of the 20^th century caused a partial resignation of map makers concerning the artistic value of maps. Now it is the time, that technology itself is not enough. Technology, as much as it is important for development, it does not bring beauty to our work. Nowadays it isn’t the truth that beauty equals quality, as it was for example in the 16^th century; however, harmony which is the main part of what we understand under the term of beauty is what brings us to the next level of comprehension. Let’s look on the work of landscape painters with ‘cartographic’ glasses. The masterful paintings full of vibrant colors are an excellent source of color harmonies. As such, there is possibility to use them as a template for creating better maps.