Welcome to the Materials of Art

The production, preservation, and appreciation of art involves many scientific concepts, particularly from the fields of chemistry and physics.  In this course students will read about development of different styles of art and learn about the scientific ideas that made its creation possible.   Topics will include the physics and biology of our perception of color, the historical development and chemistry of pigments and dyes from the stone age through the industrial era, and the development of photographic methods.  We will also explore the instrumentation and techniques used in art restoration and the detection of fakes and forgeries.  Students will apply scientific concepts from the course in several hands on art laboratories where students will create their own art objects.

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DePauw University FYS