Marsala, named after the rich Italian fortified wine, is a robust, earthy tone that carries associations with natural clay, aged wood, and vintage leather goods, making it a symbol of timeless sophistication. While similar earth-toned pigments appeared in classical Roman frescoes and Renaissance paintings, modern designers value marsala for its versatility and ability to create spaces that feel both welcoming and refined. The color performs exceptionally well in both matte and metallic finishes, making it valuable for product design and interior applications.
In technical applications, marsala's primary hex code #AC4B4B provides a precise digital reference point for web and interface design. The RGB values (172, 75, 75) reveal its balanced red dominance with equal green and blue components, creating its characteristic warm, muted appearance. When working with print materials, marsala requires CMYK values of C:0%, M:56%, Y:56%, K:33% to achieve accurate color reproduction. Color management systems must account for marsala's subtle undertones, particularly when transitioning between digital and physical spaces.
Other related colors to marsala: