Generations have been inspired by the literary works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832). He was a poet, playwright, novelist, statesman, critic, amateur artist theater director, and scientist. He is considered the Shakespeare of German literature: Faust, The Sorrows of Young Werther, Sorcerer’s Apprentice. He was a huge influence on European culture. The multitalented Goethe also devoted himself to scientific topics: his color theory, on which he worked for more than 40 years, was more important to him than his poetical work. But modern physics regard this theory only as historically interesting. Did the genius Goethe, err here?