CHEMISTRY IN ART

by Dylan Sokolovich

CHE107: Chemistry in Art, takes students through the basic concepts of general and organic chemistry. Students explore the molecular basis of color and form in art, working with paints, dyes, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, paper, fibers and photographic materials.

In ancient Egypt, many artists found themselves in a predicament. They had access to black, brown, yellow, and red pigments, but these were common and considered too lowly of colors by the Egyptians to use in the depiction of their gods. As a result, hsbdirty was created, which aptly translates to “artificial lapis lazuli.” This blue pigment was one of the first synthetic pigments ever created, but it was just a simple chemical composition known as calcium copper silicate.

In Vatican City in 1508, Michelangelo began work on the fresco paintings that line the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. When heated to a high temperature, limestone decomposes into lime and releases carbon dioxide gas. Lime is then ‘slaked’ and mixed with sand or ash, forming lime plaster. Painting pigment onto this wet plaster results in the pigment becoming incorporated into the plaster structure. Provided it is protected from strenuous circumstances, the painted plaster of fresco can survive the passage of time, even after thousands of years.

In the 21st Century, scientists are using chemistry to restore artwork that is centuries old. Lasers, carefully selected for their use of energy, remove encrustations and dirt from artworks while leaving the material underneath unharmed. Likewise, nanoparticles can be injected into artworks, such as the fresco, to repair damages caused by pollution and humidity.

Whether it be the creation of pigments or the restoration of some of the earliest known works of art, throughout history, chemistry and art have always been intrinsically connected. This tradition is continuing at Albright College through Chemistry in Art, a course introduced by Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Pamela G. Artz. Students are encouraged to learn along with the masters, becoming knowledgeable about chemistry, all while creating their own artwork.

It started with a demand. Many non-STEM majors come into Albright recognizing that they have to take a natural sciences course, but perhaps not feeling as strong or confident in such a discipline. Then, there came an added pressure, the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, when Chemistry in Art was added to campus curriculum in spring of 2021, a sizable weight was lifted off the shoulders of many students. Since then, Artz has seen a number of students from a variety of majors pass through the laboratory doors, including art, theater, fashion and even business.

Kennedy Greene, a junior Digital Studio Art major, instantly found the course appealing when she saw it was available for her spring semester. “I was really excited because I knew I needed a science, but I wanted something that would directly correlate with my major somehow,” says Greene. “Chemistry is also something that I’ve had challenges with in the past, and I just wanted to challenge myself with something new.” While art and chemistry are often considered two distinct disciplines, their analogous qualities have helped Greene and others succeed in a course that would otherwise be intimidating.

Like many STEM courses at Albright, Chemistry in Art is divided between lecture and lab time. “Many of the methods we learn translate into what we’re doing hands-on,” says Artz, “we’ve embossed metal, studied the masters and created small frescoes, and even made our own pigments.” “Of course, I’ve taken painting classes, but I’ve never really gone into depth about the actual chemistry behind making those pigments,” says Greene, “and connecting it back to the history of the greats, like Van Gogh and Michelangelo, it really got me to think not just about my graphic design roots, but my art roots as well.”

“It may be a more chemistry-based course,” says Artz, “but we’re generating art material and artworks along the way and kind of exploring the science behind them and creating observations about how different things we do will have an impact on what our work looks like.” Surprisingly, Greene is the only traditional art major taking Chemistry in Art, but her ability to excel during the semester is a testament to the course’s interdisciplinary strengths. “I’m just thankful I was able to find a class that directly falls into my discipline and my interests,” she says. Not only will Greene leave the course having created crayons, paints, pastels and even work to add to her artistic portfolio, she’ll also leave the class having the confidence to explore outside of her major.