Why are white cups and saucers specified in the lesson of pigment?

The lesson of pigment specifies white cups and saucers because the color white is neutral and does not interfere with the observation of the pigments' true colors. When pigments are mixed with other colors, they can alter the perception of the pigment's actual hue and intensity. By using white cups and saucers, the artist or color theorist can accurately assess the pigments' individual properties and how they interact with each other.

White also provides a clean and consistent background against which the pigments can be compared and contrasted. This helps to ensure that any differences observed in the pigments are due to the pigments themselves and not influenced by the color of the underlying surface.