The color of Marengo is a subject of controversy for many designers, researchers, and even historians. His birth dates from the end of the XVII - the beginning of the XVIII century, but has two versions. According to the first, in 1800 a battle took place near Marengo, in which French troops led by Napoleon and the Austrian took part. The first won, and on this significant day Bonaparte was dressed in a gray overcoat stitched with white threads. The second version says that gray-blue fabrics for sewing outerwear began to be produced at the end of the 18th century in Italy, in a village called Marengo. Since then, the fabric of this shade began to bear this name.
Today, the color of Marengo is very popular both in the fashion world and in art. It is characterized as black with a grayish tint, or gray, “stitched” with light threads, or even gray with a slight touch of blue. Often this tone is called "the embodiment of sea water, the cloudy sky before sunset." It is both simple, widespread and so complex, multifaceted and mysterious. This lies both in his story and in the associations that he calls upon closer examination.
Marengo color often appears in various forms, overalls. From such fabric things are sewn for employees of state bodies, for soldiers (in particular, the military uniform of the Third Reich, which is recognized as the most perfect of all that exists to this day), for sailors and security guards. This shade is preferred by business people. They choose the color of Marengo for individual tailoring of suits, raincoats, coats.
Due to the fact that modern fashion is very diverse, this mysterious shade has become widespread in women's wardrobe. Considering it a noble, universal and calm tone, the designers brought to life evening and cocktail dresses, shorts, cardigans, sweaters and even summer sundresses, made in gray and dark blue tones that are not bright. Marengo color has become an excellent base for swimwear, eyeglass frames, handbags, women's coats and shawls, tunics and blouses. This shade looks reserved, expensive, aristocratic, so people who are versed in fashion and know how to dress often prefer it.
For such an area as fine art, the color of Marengo is also characteristic. A photo of a picture painted in gray tones with a hint of sea waves is presented in the article. And, perhaps, such works, as they say, are “for everybody”, they have their own charm, albeit a little gloomy. Indeed, in the opinion of art critics, one cannot remove from the work the theme of shadows, darkness, a certain ominousness. That is how the sky appears before us before the rain, so we see the sea on cold days. In conditions of predominantly cloudy weather, the color of Marengo is a kind of shade that is a constant companion. And the artists simply cannot not notice it.
Using such a shade in clothes or in a picture, it must be diluted. By itself, it does not have much emotional impact, but in combination with certain tones it can form rich compositions. For example, in a duet with scarlet gray looks incredibly bright, and at the same time restrained, concise. Innocently and cute, the color of the Marengo will look combined with white. Well, if you add notes of turquoise, then the color duo will become truly unique and unforgettable.