The debate that took place internationally in the penultimate century regarding the polychromy and painting techniques of ancient and medieval tree monuments, as well as the discovery of new methods of color analysis, led to significant changes in color perception and a reinterpretation of architectural coloration. This interdisciplinary volume examines the connections between the various discourses, uncovers historical threshold situations, and reveals substantive transformations. Gottfried Semper, who addressed issues of color in numerous publications as well as in architectural designs and realized buildings, serves as the immediate point of reference.