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Do art and science go together? Most will say “NO” that the two are different worlds, but lets consider the art of photography. Would photography exist without science? Could professional photographers be as creative if they had no knowledge of the physics involved in photography? The answer to these questions is “NO”

Photography is not just an art form, it is also a science. Most photographers don’t just take a pretty picture and it is as simple as that, in fact, most photography is based on scientific knowledge.  Photography could not exist without the sciences of chemistry and physics.

In order for a photographer to be a master at his art he must know the mechanics of the camera and how light and dynamics affect the photograph. He should also know what chemicals work in the development of the photograph. In fact science affects most aspects of the photographic process.

Professional photographers know about composition, how light affects a subject, the speed and aperture of the lens that is needed to take the right photograph, and the film speed that is needed in certain shots. All of these are scientific elements, and every photographer that is worth his salt as an artist must also be well versed in the science of his art form.

Photo: Cloud Appreciation Society

Botanical painting is more than just art, it is the combination of art and science. It is the explanation of a species of a plant in its every facet. For many centuries this type of art work was used and relied on by people that worked in the medical field. It is a recognized field of art and science, one where we can easily record information on a certain plant specimen. The use of botanical paintings can capture detail that cannot even be captured by photography.

Most botanical painting is done of pharmaceutical plants or plants that can be used for medical purposes. There are problems that arise with botanical painting that almost never happen in other types of art. Among the most difficult is keeping the plants in good shape as most begin to wilt just as soon as they are cut. Some illustrators use refrigeration or pressing to prolong the plants so they can be used.

Art and science have gone hand in hand as far back as man began creating with both his mind and his hand. Together these two fields have walked the path of knowledge and enlightenment. Throughout history many artists were scientists and many scientists artists. Among the most famous of these was Da Vinci. A man born in 1452 and considered an artist, an engineer, an architect, an astronomer, a mathematician, and a geologist. He is famous for works like the Mona Lisa, and the last supper.

But he is also known for being an airplane inventor. He worked with the military in designs for tanks and submarines, and machines that were long before his time. He was known for his scientific drawings of the human muscle groups and bone structures. He is also known to have discovered how fossils form.

Other artists who were also scientists were Sir Francis Bacon, MC Escher, and others have come and gone.

Recently there has been a great division between art and science, and it may be because of societies dictates or because both fields have become so extensive.

Neoclassicism made itself known in the decorative arts too. There is no better example of the era, than that found in the empire furniture, which was fashionable during the Napoleonic era times. Empire furniture became very popular in the upper classes of England, France, and the new Washington DC.

Although in France the nobility did not take on the style until Louis XVI’s wife introduced it into the palace decorations.

Other classic examples of Neoclassicism in the decorative arts were in the use of wedge wood decoration and their bas relief’s. It can also be noted in the black basalts vases made at the time.

Most wedge wood and porcelain pieces depicted some Roman or Greek motifs during this period and were made to represent the classical pieces that were being found at the time in the Pompeii and Herculaneum ruins.

Neoclassicism took over the interiors of courtrooms, palaces, and salons of most upper class families. It is most noted in the interiors of the Russian St. Petersburg.

The great architectural findings of Pompeii and Herculaneum influenced women to decorate their interiors in the classical fashion. The objective of these interiors was to represent an authentic Roman interior.

The Rococo movement influenced other arts including painting, architecture and sculpture. Its playful nature, delicate strokes and feminine style influenced also greatly furniture, tapestry, interior design and clothing.

The themes became very light-hearted and within the decorative arts most Rococo pieces were very intricate. That is why it worked best with small scaled items, which differed greatly to the large Baroque sculpture and architecture of previous eras. Rococo was best used indoors and was adapted to porcelain figures, frills, metal work, and furniture.

The architectural, interior design and even the clothing of the Rococo style was very common in the Marie Antoinette period. In her palace you will note that the rooms were done entirely in the Rococo style and are considered to be works of art themselves. Rococo furniture is known to be very ornate. Tapestries, mirrors, ornaments and paintings done in the same style were used to complement the Rococo architecture. As the period ended, much of the style was looked upon derogatively and considered to be too frivolous.

Restoring art is a fine art in itself. Not only does the restorer need to preserve the quality and character of the original painting, the new one should be a better, brighter version which hides old flaws and defects. It is a valuable process which is essential to preserve the richness of our history and heritage.

Why restoration is necessary

Most of the olden paintings have survived a lot of abusive conditions. Factors like environmental pollution, floods, volcanic eruptions; salt water abrasion and many more have deteriorated paintings to a great extent. As a result many of the precious works of art have become dull, lifeless and lost their original character. Many times, the characters have faded or been scratched away, the background tarnished and the overall art been damaged a great deal.