Did Hering describe the Trichromatic theory or Opponent Color theory of color vision?

Hering is credited with the development of the Opponent Color theory of color vision. This theory posits that color perception is controlled by opposing pairs of colors: blue versus yellow, and red versus green. Hering's approach diverged from earlier theories by suggesting that certain colors cancel each other out, leading to the perception of colors in contrast rather than as a simple combination of primary colors.

The Opponent Color theory was formulated based on the observation of color afterimages and the way colors can inhibit or enhance one another. For instance, if someone stares at a red object for a prolonged period and then looks at a white surface, they might see a green afterimage. This phenomenon supports the idea that our vision processes color in opposing pairs.

In contrast, the Trichromatic theory, which suggests that the human eye has three types of color receptors (cones) sensitive to red, green, and blue, was formulated by Thomas Young and Hermann von Helmholtz. This theory focuses on the way these three colors combine to produce the full spectrum of color perception, which is different from the mechanisms described by Hering.

Understanding this distinction between Hering's Opponent Color theory and the Trichromatic theory helps clarify how different aspects of color vision are