Chromatography is a technique used to separate mixtures into individual components by passing them through a stationary phase. It involves using different methods like liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and paper chromatography to separate compounds in inks, dyes, plant pigments, chemicals, and other unknown substances. Chromatography can identify unknown plant pigments, determine the chemical composition of substances, and separate components in mixtures like gasoline.