Effects of hue and orientation on naturalness and preference: evidence from concrete and abstract art
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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
1College of Arts, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
Introduction:
In previous research, we found that visual features such as hue and orientation can modulate individuals' aesthetic preferences. Concrete art contains real world referential representations, whereas abstract art lacks specific referential information. However, it remains unclear whether this modulatory effect differs between these two categories of art.
Methods:
The present study employed a three-factor repeated-measures design, manipulating painting category (concrete vs. abstract), hue (original vs. rotated), and orientation (upright vs. inverted), to examine the effects of hue and orientation on perceived naturalness and aesthetic preference across different image categories(concrete art vs. abstract art).
Results:
The results showed that: (1) the effect of hue on naturalness and aesthetic preference ratings was stronger for concrete images than for abstract images; (2) the effect of orientation on naturalness and aesthetic preference ratings was stronger for concrete images than for abstract images; (3) perceived naturalness might indirectly moderate the effect on aesthetic preference.
Discussion:
Overall, the present study found that the category of artworks (concrete vs.abstract) determines the presence or absence of real-world referential structures, thereby governing the pathway and strength through which visual features influence aesthetic judgment. At the same time, this study also revealed a functionaldissociation between perceived naturalness and aesthetic preference at the psychological mechanism level.
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