Chemistry, Art & Architecture

The 15th of July is not only the feast day of St Swithin, where legend warns that rain on this day spells bad weather for the ensuing 6 weeks; it is also the birthday of two of the most influential creative forces of the 17th Century; Rembrandt and Inigo Jones.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was born in the city of Leiden in the Dutch Republic.  Considered one of the greatest painters in art history, the majority of Rembrandt's works were self-portraits and depictions of Biblical & mythological scenes.

As well as coming at the height of the artistic Baroque period, Rembrandt's lifetime saw the beginnings of early modern chemistry.  In 1661, Robert Boyle published 'The Sceptical Chymist' which made the distinction between modern chemistry and alchemy. Among the 58 titles written by Boyle that form part of the RSC's Historical Collection is an original copy of the second edition of Boyle's seminal work. 

The Royal Society of Chemistry has had links to the world of art since its' very beginnings.  The Chemical Society's first meetings were held in rooms at the Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi (by the Strand) in 1841. A year later, the library was begun on this site; comprising, at that time, of a single bookcase.

Since 1857, the Chemical Society has shared the same space as the Royal Academy of Arts (and the other learned societies) in Burlington House.  Part of the design of Burlington House was inspired by the buildings of Inigo Jones, also born on July 15th (1573-1652).  Inigo Jones leant his creative hand to design (see image right)  but he is mainly regarded as the first significant British architect; Jones' Italianate design for the Covent Garden square, later moulded the look of many areas within the rest of London's West End.

Between 1949 and 1967 the Royal Institute of Chemistry published a series of 'Lectures, Monographs and Reports' on a variety of topics.  One title, 'The Scientific Examination of Paintings' was written by A.E.A. Werner, a Research Chemist at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.  Werner's monograph is a study of the conservation of paintings.  In addition to aiming to increase the knowledge of the materials used in classical paintings it looks at the scientific methods employed to help identify forgeries.

In 1999, the RSC collaborated with the National Gallery on an education pack for schools, 'The Chemistry of Art'.  This pack provided information and resources to students and teachers looking at the close relationship of art and chemistry, showing the techniques and materials used to create a selection of paintings on display at the National Gallery.

Further Reading

Berry, M, 1999, Chemistry of Art: A Resource Pack from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the National Gallery, London, Royal Society of Chemistry, London (RSC Item ID: 20010659)

Boyle, R, 1680, The Sceptical Chymist, Richard Davis & B Took, Oxford (RSC Item ID: HC0225)

Werner, A E A, 1952, The Scientific Examination of Paintings, Royal Institute of Chemistry, London (RSC Item ID: HC3960)