Renoir: Dance at Bougival
Boston Museum of Fine Art

The chemical and physical properties of the materials that an artist chooses in making a painting, photograph, or metal sculpture determine their value for aesthetic expression. Two Chemistry Department courses provide opportunities for students to learn about the chemical principles underlying the creation and conservation of art objects. Chemistry 103, Chemistry and Art, combines classroom and laboratory work to explore etching and metalwork, photography, papermaking, and painting as well as the relationships between light and color. This course has been designed for students with little or no college level chemistry background. The seminar course, Chemistry 306, Environmental Effects on Art Objects, allows more advanced students to explore the chemistry of art conservation. This web site provides source materials for students in these two courses and for others seeking connections between the artist’s studio and the scientist’s laboratory.