As you have discovered, chemistry plays many important roles in everyday life.  When you think about "Chemistry of Art" or the "Art of Chemistry", what comes to mind?  As you have looked at art in the past, did chemistry even enter into the picture?  Often the impact and functions of chemistry are neglected by the average citizen and even the artisan.

This assignment is designed to help you discover how chemistry and art are interrelated.  Select one of the two options below:
 

Option A:  Write a 2-3 page chemical summary/information sheet on a piece of art.

or

Option B:  Write a 2-3 page essay on how chemistry is related to a particular medium of art.

• Paintings
• Sculpture
• Prints
• Drawings
• Photography
• Pottery
• Decorative Arts

1. Select a piece of artwork (painting, sculpture, or decorative arts) from anytime period or culture that intrigues you.  You might wish to use reference books in the library, the National Gallery of Art,  the J. Paul Getty Museum,  Freer Gallery of Art - Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Louvre, Asian Art On-line, other sources, or a favorite gallery/museum.  Provide the following information about the work:
• Name of work
• the Medium of the work
• Date/Time Period of work
• Attributed artist
2. Use the library and other resources to find chemical information related to the work.  Don't hesitate to describe specific chemicals, how they were used, what effect they had on the longevity of the work (or the artist!), and perhaps conservation challenges.  Consider:
• The materials used (dyes, paints, fabric, substrates, varnishes, preservatives, metals, etc.)
• Method of construction
• Conservation issues, problems, or challenges
• Determination of authenticity or artist
3. Use your research to create a 2-3 page chemical information sheet about your selected piece of artwork.  Don't try to hit every bit of detail, but get a reasonable representation of what comprises the work.  Think of it as something a museum could place next to the work for those wanting information at the microscopic level!
• Use 12 pt font
• 1 inch margins
• 1.5 line spacing
• Remember to include appropriate citations/references, spell check and pay attention to grammar!

Option B Instructions:

1. Select a medium of art from anytime period or culture that intrigues you.  You might wish to use reference books in the library, the National Gallery of Art,  the J. Paul Getty Museum,  Freer Gallery of Art - Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Louvre, Asian Art On-line, other sources, or a favorite gallery/museum.
2. Use the library and other resources to determine how chemistry and that particular artist's medium are interrelated.  Don't hesitate to describe specific chemicals, how they were used, whether or not they are used today, any health-related issues, or general conservation concerns brought about by the chemical(s).  Consider:
• the individual components of the medium (dyes, paints, fabric, substrates, varnishes, metals, etc.)
• the method of construction
• environment in which the particular medium is displayed
• the methods used to maintain (conserve) the type of artwork
3. Use your research to create a 2-3 page essay about your selected medium.  Don't try to hit every bit of detail related to how chemistry impacts this form, but try to get a reasonable representation of what comprises the medium.  Think of it as something you could use to educate your family or close friends.
• Use 12 pt font
• 1 inch margins
• 1.5 line spacing
• Remember to include appropriate citations/references, spell check and pay attention to grammar!

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