Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 9
THE VISUAL IMAGE OF CHEMISTRY:
PERSPECTIVES FROM THE HISTORY OF ART AND SCIENCE
Joachim Schummer* and Tami I. Spector**
*Department of Philosophy, University of Darmstadt,
Schloss, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany; js@hyle.org
**Department of Chemistry, University of San Francisco,
2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117-1080, USA; spector@usfca.edu
In this chapter we investigate the most important visual stereotypes of
chemistry as they occur in current portraits of chemists, depictions of
chemical plants, and images of chemical glassware and apparatus. By
studying the historical origin and development of these stereotypes
within the broader context of the history of art and science, and by
applying aesthetic and cultural theories, we explore what these images
implicitly communicate about the chemical profession to the public.
We conclude that chemists, along with commercial artists, have un-
knowingly created a visual image of chemistry that frequently conveys
negative historical associations, ranging from imposture to kitsch.
Other elements of this image, however, aestheticize chemistry in a
positive manner by referring to classical ideals of beauty and borrowing
from revered motifs of modern art.
1. Introduction
When chemists complain about their bad public image they frequently
forget that this image has been shaped over many centuries, and that
chemists themselves have played an active part in its creation. PR man-
agers know well that the public image of science is created at the inter-
face between science and the public and results from the interaction
between scientists and non-scientists. They also appear to understand that
visual images are extremely important for carrying a message to the
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