This volume contains papers from the ICON conference Appearance and Reality - investigating color change in paintings Changes in color may completely alter the way we see a painting. From blue leaves in a still life, to the blue walls in Van Gogh’s bedroom, our perception of a painting can be informed by an understanding of these changes. When conserving paintings our comprehension of these alterations can influence the way we display and restore them. This volume contains papers from the ICON conference Appearance and Reality. It provides an overview of color change in paintings, from the work of the old masters to modern and contemporary painters. It also addresses the aesthetic considerations related to these changes when approaching conservation treatments and how understanding these variations can influence the restoration and presentation of paintings.