Classical Art

Scientific Discoveries shown throughout the Classical Era

There were a bunch of artists who created different pieces of art throughout the classical era. A number of which, created paintings that were used to support science, and the discoveries of new scientific knowledge. The classical art, that was used to support the idea of science, was partially influenced by the enlightenment, since the enlightenment was a period in which the culture was heavily focused on science, as well as politics and philosophical discourse (White 2018).

A Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery:

A Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery, is a 58 inch by 80 inch, oil painting that was completed by Joseph Wright  somewhere around 1763 to 1765 in Derby, England. This painting was made to promote the idea of astrology, where everyone is gathered together. Everyone is enjoying the interesting lecture that is being given about space, as they are all looking at a model of the galaxy. I enjoy this painting, because I like astronomy. I like astronomy, because of how interesting it is, with it's infinite size, with all of the different planets, stars, and black holes that can be found, and learned about. Wright had a number of techniques that he used in his painting, to make it more interesting, but he was also able to do a few things, so that we would find astrology to be interesting. I like how Wright had boys and girls, of different ages, gathered around the model, to give us the impression that astrology can be interesting and fun for anyone. 

Color

Joseph Wright uses color in his painting, to suggest mood and form. He uses color, so that we can see what things are made of, and so that we can know that there is a third dimension in the painting. The painter uses white on the top of the model, closest to us, near the bottom middle of the painting, as well as on some of the circular frames, going over the top of the model, so that we can see that the light is coming from the center of the model. The light color of a portion of the frames, located over the model, help us to know that the frames surround the top portion of the model, where the back sides of the frames are not facing the light, since there is a third dimension. There are a couple spots of the frames that are white, since the light is being reflected off of it. This is because those portions of the frames are facing the light directly, which help us to know that the framing must be a reflective metal, and that it is curved. Color is also used to created shadows on the wall, as well as on the people, to make it more realistic, and once again, to help us see where the light is coming from, to create the illusion of a third dimension.

Color is also used in this painting to create a sense of mood. The darkness of the painting cause it to feel mysterious. They are in a dark room looking at a light object, which is lighting them up. This makes it feel like they are looking at something in secret, which is cool and interesting. This causes people to want to learn about outer space, so that they can learn about the cool, interesting facts, that can be learned. This painting helps to promote science, specifically astrology, because it can help people to know that science can be interesting, and helpful for us, as a human race, where it can help us to better understand the universe around us.

Shape

Joseph Wright uses circles to make up a portion of the framing for the model, as well as some circles that are used for the planets, and the ring that can be found around one of the planets. He uses these circles, to give use the sense of continuous movement, since the planets and stars of the universe are constantly moving, since they are always spinning and/or rotating around another object.

Portrait of Doctor Alphonse Leroy:

There isn't really a name for this painting, everyone just calls it the Portrait of Doctor Alphonse Leroy, which was painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1783. It is believed that the oil painting was created by David in France, possibly in the city of Paris. This is a portrait of a "respected doctor and also midwife" (thehistoryofart.org, 2022). This painting was centered on the influence of scientific discoveries, because it is showing the doctor, as he is studying (thehistoryofart.org, 2022). This oil painting is not one of my favorites by any means, but it is an interesting painting, where you can realize that doctors have to do a bunch of research. Even if they are working on a discovery of their own, they often need prior knowledge, from previous doctors. The painting can help us to realize that even though we have a bunch of medical know

Color

Jacques-Louis David uses color in his oil painting, to create form and light. He uses white on portions of the lamp, so we can know that the lamp is circular, and that it is three dimensional, where the sunlight is only hitting it in specific spots, because of the angle that is is being hit from the sun. Color is also used to create a shadow on the doctor's side, and on the back of his head, as well as on the chair, so that we can know where the sunlight is coming from. David also uses color on the doctor's coat, where he uses darker and lighter shades, so that we can see the three dimensional wrinkles in the doctor's coat.

Shape

It was most likely unintentional, but Jacques-Louis David used rectangles and squares to create the book that Alphonse Leroy is leaning on. Not only is the cover, the spine of the book, and the stack of pages made up of rectangles, but there are also squares and rectangles that have been creates, with the lines on the spine of the book. The book was made this way, to portray strength, since knowledge is pretty much strength. It was made this way, to show that knowledge is power, since knowledge can help people to do so much. The book that he is leaning on, is actually a book that "Alphonse Leroy would have refer[r]ed to for help in treating female diseases," which would have helped to save some women from dying (thehistoryofart.com, 2022). 

An Optician with His Attendant:

An Optician with His Attendant, is an oil painting that was done by Johan Zoffany in 1772, where it was most likely completed in England (Carstensen, 2015). This painting was created to influence the science of opticians, by showing that they have to do a lot, in order to make a pair of working glasses for someone. I do not really like this painting much at all, but it definitely helps people to realize that it is quite the process to create glasses just right, so that people can see well. It might even help people see that there might be other ways in the future, that will help people to see clearly. The painter uses a bunch of techniques in the painting, so that it looks realistic, and to convey meaning.

Color

Johan Zoffany uses color in his painting, to create shadows, which helps us to see where the light is coming from. It looks like the room is being lit up by the sun coming in the window, which can be found in the top-right of the painting. Color is also used on the dishes located on the back wall, as well as on some other things, such as the big bowl to the right of the two guys in the painting, where the light is reflecting off of the surfaces. This helps us to see that the items are made out of shiny materials, such as glass. This can help us to know where the sunlight is coming from, and it can also help us to see that there is a third dimension to the objects, since there are only parts of the objects that are being hit at the correct angle, because of the sun. 

Texture

Johan Zoffany creates the illusion of texture in the painting, so that it looks more realistic. He makes the wood look realistic, by painting the cracks and the grain of the wood. Doing this, makes us realize the the wood is rough, just like wood in real life.

References

Carstensen, Sarah. “Art and Scientific Discovery in the 1700's.” SGCarstensen, 201AD, http://sgcarstensen.com/art-and-scientific-discovery-in-the-1700s/.

Fox, Dr. Abram. “Joseph Wright of Derby, a Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrery.” Smarthistory, 8 Jan. 2016, https://smarthistory.org/joseph-wright-of-derby-a-philosopher-giving-a-lecture-at-the-orrery/.

“Portrait of Doctor Alphonse Leroy.” The History of Art, 2022, https://www.thehistoryofart.org/jacques-louis-david/portrait-of-doctor-alphonse-leroy/.

White, Matthew. “The Enlightenment.” British Library, 21 June 2018, https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century-literature/articles/the-enlightenment#:~:text=The%20Enlightenment%20%E2%80%93%20the%20great%20'Age,the%20Napoleonic%20Wars%20in%201815.