The color mauve is often described as a pale purple or light purple shade. However, some people may wonder if mauve can also be considered a shade of brown. This article will examine the technical definitions and common perceptions of the color mauve to determine if it can accurately be described as a brown tone.
Defining Mauve
Mauve is a pale purple color that takes its name from the mallow flower. The first synthetic aniline dye was discovered in 1856 and was named mauveine or Perkin’s mauve. This dye color produced a new tint that became known simply as mauve.
The exact specifications of mauve have changed over time. Originally, the color was a brighter, more vivid purple-red. Modern definitions characterize mauve as a light, dusty, grayish purple.
The RGB values for mauve are approximately R: 224, G: 176, B: 255. The HEX code for the web color mauve is #E0B0FF.
In print design, mauve is created by mixing a high concentration of process magenta with low concentrations of process cyan and process yellow.
Defining Brown
Brown is a color that is a dark orange shade. It is produced by mixing red, yellow, and black pigments and dyes.
The RGB values for brown range from R: 100-150, G: 50-75, B: 25-50. Brown’s HEX codes vary from #964B00 to #B19CD9 depending on the exact shade.
In print design, brown contains mostly process yellow with lower portions of process magenta and process cyan. The higher amount of yellow distinguishes brown from other dark colors.
Comparing Mauve and Brown
When examining the technical specifications of mauve and brown, it is clear they are very different colors.
| Color | RGB Values | HEX Code | Print Mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauve | R: 224, G: 176, B: 255 | #E0B0FF | High Magenta, Low Cyan & Yellow |
| Brown | R: 100-150, G: 50-75, B: 25-50 | #964B00 – #B19CD9 | High Yellow, Low Magenta & Cyan |
Mauve contains no yellow while brown is primarily made up of yellow. Mauve has high values of magenta and blue while brown contains low levels of those pigments. The HEX codes for the two colors are completely distinct.
Based on this technical information, mauve and brown are clearly different shades with their own unique properties. Mauve contains cool undertones from blue and magenta pigments. Brown has warm, earthy undertones from high concentrations of yellow and red.
Common Perceptions of Mauve and Brown
In addition to their technical specifications, the common public perceptions of mauve and brown also show they are viewed as very different colors.
Mauve is associated with Victorian era fashion and interiors. It evokes feelings of romance, nostalgia, and femininity. Mauve conjures images of Impressionist paintings, purple flowers, and antique lace.
Brown, on the other hand, is linked to earthiness, ruggedness, utility, and durability. It brings to mind images of timber, leather, coffee, and autumn leaves. Brown has traditionally been used for menswear and casual fashions.
When used in design and marketing, mauve promotes a sense of softness, sentimentality, and calm. Brown conveys simplicity, security, and seriousness. Mauve is employed for women’s products while brown is used for men’s items.
Based on these varied associations, mauve and brown clearly inhabit distinct conceptual categories in people’s minds. Most viewers would not place the two colors in the same color family.
Mauve’s Relationship to Other Colors
Examining how mauve relates to other color families also demonstrates that it fits solidly into the purple family rather than the brown family.
Mauve is considered a tint of purple, sitting between light purple and lavender on the color wheel. It contrasts with darker or brighter purple shades like royal purple, eggplant, or fuchsia.
Mauve is also grouped with other soft pastel colors like baby blue, mint, peach, and cream. It fits in with these muted, delicate tones more than the bold or neutral earth tones like brown.
Within the brown color family, mauve’s closest relations are gray, taupe, beige, and stone. However, mauve lacks the muted, dusty quality of those colors and maintains more of a cool undertone. Mauve may mix well with neutrals but does not fit directly into the brown color palette.
Uses of Mauve vs. Brown
The ways mauve and brown are employed in design also demonstrate their distinct identities.
| Mauve Uses | Brown Uses |
|---|---|
| – Women’s fashion and accessories | – Men’s fashion and accessories |
| – Florals | – Rustic wood products |
| – Weddings | – Casual earthy environments |
| – Easter | – Autumn color palettes |
| – Baby products | – Coffee packaging |
| – Vintage styles | – Utility vehicle colors |
As this table demonstrates, mauve and brown populate very different contexts. Mauve appears in feminine settings like florals, weddings, and baby products. Brown is used for masculine items like wood products and utility vehicles. Their distinct design roles indicate mauve and brown are not interchangeable.
Mauve vs. Purple Brown
There is a color known as “purple brown” that mixes brown and purple shades. This color sits between both families on the color wheel.
However, purple brown still contains strong yellow undertones from its brown heritage. And it lacks the cool blue/magenta base of mauve. So purple brown is distinct from true mauve, which fits solidly into the purple family.
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Mauve | Light purple with cool undertones |
| Purple Brown | Dark brown with purple tint |
While purple brown does share traits of both color families, mauve belongs strictly in the purple category rather than the brown family.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of technical specifications, common perceptions, color relationships, and design uses, mauve clearly fits into the purple family and is not considered a shade of brown.
The technical definitions show mauve contains high amounts of magenta and blue versus brown’s high yellow content. They have distinct RGB values, HEX codes, and print mixing formulas.
Mauve and brown also inhabit very different conceptual categories in most people’s minds. Mauve conveys soft, delicate femininity while brown represents rugged, earthy masculinity.
When compared to related colors, mauve fits in with other light purples rather than earth tones like beige or taupe. It is used in feminine settings distinct from brown’s masculine applications.
While mauve can work well with brown in some contexts, it maintains a unique color identity and definition separate from brown. The evidence clearly shows that mauve is a light purple, not a shade of brown.
