Since time immemorial, light has been a symbol of knowledge, transcendence, and spirituality. In many cultures and traditions, “seeing the light” is spoken of as synonymous with understanding or a profound awakening. On the threshold of death, many people report seeing a glow at the end of the tunnel, as if existence itself were guiding us back to its purest origin.
But why light? What makes it so fundamental to our perception of the world? The answer lies in its essence: it allows us to see, interpret, and create. Without it, there is no form or color; without its presence, art would not exist. Its influence defines the way we experience spaces, connects us with the emotion of a work, and gives life to every nuance we observe. In this sense, lighting and art have been intertwined throughout history, forming a universal language.
Light as revelation in art and architecture
From the earliest cave artists, who relied on fire to admire their creations, to the great masters of chiaroscuro painting, lighting has played a central role in all forms of artistic expression. Its impact goes beyond the functional; it is a means of communication in itself.
Light in painting: Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Vermeer
In painting, lighting and shadow shape volumes, direct the eye, and create visual narratives. Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer understood their power, generating dramatic contrasts that intensified the emotion of their works. Thanks to them, chiaroscuro became a tool of expression that still impacts contemporary art.
Light in photography and cinema: more than illumination, a narrative
In photography and film, lighting becomes a narrative element. It not only allows us to see, but also conveys sensations: a dim, warm light evokes nostalgia, while cold, diffuse lighting creates distance. Great directors such as Stanley Kubrick and Roger Deakins have used light to create unique atmospheres, demonstrating that its use in art is inseparable from visual narrative.
Light in architecture: spaces that come to life
Architecture also finds lighting to be an essential design material. From Gothic cathedrals, where stained-glass windows filtered light to tell stories, to the work of Luis Barragán, who used lighting as a building material, its use defines the experience of the environment. Light transforms spaces, giving them depth and meaning.
Light and emotion: an invisible but powerful bond
Lighting isn’t just a visual necessity; it shapes our emotions and perceptions. A sunrise inspires hope, while a play of shadows projected on a wall can evoke mystery or nostalgia. Its natural variation throughout the day transforms the atmosphere of a space and affects our mood, often without us consciously noticing.
Neuroscience studies have shown that lighting directly influences our well-being. Warm, balanced light generates feelings of comfort and calm, while poorly distributed lighting can cause fatigue and stress. In this sense, lighting design becomes an art of balancing the technical and emotional.
Light as a universal symbol
Beyond its function in art and architecture, light has been a universal symbol of the divine and the transcendent. From ancient Egypt, where the sun was venerated as the source of life, to Platonic philosophy, which understood illumination as the means through which we attain knowledge, its presence in human history has been linked to the sublime.
Perhaps that’s why, at the final moment, many say they see a light. It’s the closest image we have of something superior, something that transcends us.
POLIGHT and light: more than a tool, a language
At POLIGHT, we believe that lighting is not just a tool; it’s a language with the power to transform our relationship with art, spaces, and emotions. Understanding its impact means understanding how we inhabit the world and how we want to experience it.
Because, ultimately, light is the beginning of everything.
