For decades, the special light in Mallorca has not only impressed locals and tourists, but has also served as a source of inspiration for artists, film directors and photographers. It is debatable whether this phenomenon can be justified or even scientifically explained.
First, we should clarify precisely what is meant by “light”. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation described by various models from physics: ray optics, wave optics, or quantum physics. According to the latter, it consists of light particles – photons.
Light is essential for life on Earth, as plants convert light energy into chemically bound energy through photosynthesis. This serves as food for all other living beings. Natural daylight – the light from the sun, filtered through the Earth's atmosphere – also has a significant impact on the human organism and its health: Lack of light affects our hormones and neurotransmitters, causing fatigue and a low mood. This is one of the most common reasons why many Northern Europeans escape the short days of the winter months to catch some sunshine in Mallorca.
In the opinion of chief meteorologist María José Guerrero from the Spanish meteorological service Aemet, in an interview with Mallorca Zeitung, the meteorological reason for the island's special light is a question of visibility conditions. According to her, these are particularly good in Mallorca, as everything appears very clear, very bright, and more intensely coloured than in other places, especially when compared to Northern and Central Europe. Light intensity is perceived by the eye as brightness, while the spectral composition of the light stimulus, on the other hand, is perceived as colour.
In comparison
In In Germany, for example, there would often be situations where visibility is limited due to frequent precipitation and overcast skies. This would simply mean less light.. “And the number of hours of daylight is lower than in the Mediterranean region,“ Guerrero explained to the Mallorca Zeitung. On the island, he added, environmental pollution is generally lower too, as the industrial centres are far away.
The light in Mallorca is a dream for painters and photographers. The month of November is considered the month with the most beautiful sunsets and the best light.
This natural experience on the island was also sought after by painters who, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, brought about a „golden era“ of landscape painting. Catalans Santiago Rusiñol and Joaquim Mir, in particular, discovered a completely different light on Mallorca, especially in the Serra de Tramuntana, and were fascinated by it.
Many painters are inspired precisely by Mallorca's characteristic light, by its vibrant colours, specifically from the combination of mountains, sea and light.
Mallorca is increasingly being chosen as a filming location for series and films by many film directors and screenwriters, due to its light and natural beauty. Just recently, a new series starring Hollywood star Nicole Kidman was filmed on Mallorca for weeks.
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