The effects of variations in intensity and color temperature of the illumination on artistic appreciation and aesthetic communication were studied. Aesthetic effects of the illumination were measured by having the subjects rate five abstract paintings on 30 semantic scales. The deviations and the correlation coefficients of scores on semantic scales between the artist and the subjects indicated the degree to which the artist communicated with the subjects. It appears that the greater the intensity, the more highly valued were the paintings. Aesthetic communication on Hedonic value was more accurate at high illumination levels than low. Color temperature had ambiguous effects on the whole, but had an effect on Warmth. Perhaps it is related to the color scheme of the paintings.