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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.