Art And Science: The Influence Of Art And Science

Art and Science Art and science have always had a close relationship. We see art influence science as with books and movies inspiring technological advancement. We also see science influence art in ways such as how aerodynamics informs the design of cars and airplanes. During the Renaissance and on, we see mankind making this connection and building from it. This changed the world, and art. The Renaissance was a time ripe with scientific study and discovery. Artists of the time did much of the work and findings. Many became anatomists and mathematicians through the desire to further their art. The study of the human form and the accuracy of its portrayal was significant. Many artists wanted to portray realism of the human form. This was accomplished

(38.4 x 58.9 cm)

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1917 (17.50.99)

Other scientific discoveries occurred during the Renaissance. Linear Perspective was defined and understood because of a belief of the times of Aristotelian ideas of understanding, observing, and experiencing nature (Art and Science. n.d.). Brunelleschi’s experiment with perspective yielded an understanding of three dimensional space on a 2 dimensional plane. In Brunelleschi’s elevation of Santo Spirito (1434-83) Florence, we see the expertise and brilliance of Brunelleschi’s and how he observed, experimented and the understood, what we now call, linear perspective. Then it was explained and taught to others changing art forever (“Early App”... n.d.). Brunelleschi, elevation of Santo Spirito, 1434-83, Florence

These influences from science in art in the Renaissance will lead directly to the Baroque and Rococo periods understanding and use of

The printing press allows art to be reproduced and sent out into the world and shared in different countries and cultures. Many people were engaging directly with nature and building what we now know as the Scientific Process. We also meet Galileo Galilei, a man who defines physics, points a telescope to the heavens, and upsets the balance of belief. Informing the Catholic Church that earth is not the center of the universe. Galileo Galilei also did something else, he quantifies motion. And as we will see motion is a major player in Baroque art (Science During the Baroque Period. 2011). Gian Lorenzo Bernini, three views of David, 1623-24, marble, 170 cm (Galleria Borghese, Rome)

In Bernini’s David it can easily be observed that motion is at play. David is in the process of starting his swing of the sling. His body is in movement and it is as if we have captured a moment of time. He is biting his lip in concentration and effort. He is so life like one could almost flinch thinking he might hit us (Bernini.