Art and Scientific Discovery in the 1700s

Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770)

In the 1700s, many new plants and flowers were discovered, named, and drawn. This time period was when Carolus Linnaeus developed his classification system for naming plants and animals. Artwork specific to botany flourished because many artists were creating pieces based on Linnaeus' classifications. Through this artwork, scientific knowledge spread. Georg Dionysius Ehret was a German-born botanical artist that was very influential during the Enlightenment because he illustrated many of the plant findings of Carolus Linnaeus. Ehret combined beautiful artwork with scientific elements found by Linnaeus.

Above is one of Ehret's works called Methodus Plantarum Sexualis in sistemate naturae descripta. Made in Leiden, Netherlands in 1736, this piece of art is one of many created by Ehret to show Linnaeus' botanical findings. It's very important because the art allowed people to visualize the new species that Linnaeus was classifying, exemplifying the connection between art, science, and education at once. 

I like this piece because of its organization. The spacing of each species and words is very appealing and uses most of the area on the paper. I would buy it and would love to hang it up in my dorm room because it is educational as well as beautiful. Ehret does a beautiful job of showing the texture of each plant. This texture makes the piece very realistic and therefore adds to the educational side of the piece.

Another of Ehret's works is shown above. This piece is called Pancratium, drawn in London from 1738-1770. This is an example of the type of art that has an emphasis on the plant's reproductive organs, where he showed them visually with written descriptions of each part of the plant. It is another example of how education, art, and beauty were tied together by Ehret.  

This drawing uses less space but the cleanliness is pleasant to look at. The lines are certain and create a realistic and clear view of the flower. I would also buy this piece for my dorm room. One thing I don't like about it is that the color of the petals is very close to the background color. Although it makes the green stem pop more, it is not very appealing to me. 

Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797)

Joseph Wright was an English landscape and portrait painter that made artwork of scientific subjects. Wright is the epitome of the Enlightenment, showing the shift from a more religious perspective to a scientific one. Through his artwork, Wright spread this new way of thinking by depicting scientists and scientific concepts in the way that Gods or religious scenes were painted. 

Wright shows these scientific scenes through paintings such as The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus. This piece was made in 1771 in Liverpool or Derby. It is said that the painting was made to show the alchemist Hennig Brand discovering phosphorus in 1669. This is a perfect example of how science was spread through art. Wright's use of light contrasts the dark and light colors, putting brighter colors where the alchemist is performing his breakthrough. This color contrast draws the audience's eye to focus on the subject. The space is very cluttered which suggests the alchemist is very busy and focused on his work.

Although I like this piece and it is very intriguing, I would not own it. It is too cluttered for me and although the contrast of light and dark is interesting, it makes the art piece unappealing to me. That being said, I appreciate the knowledge that comes from this painting.

Johan Zoffany (1733-1810)

Johan Zoffany was a German-born painter that settled quickly into an English lifestyle by being discovered by and painting for the royal family. He was a well-known portrait painter, specifically known for his conversation pieces showing an informal painting of a familiar group of people. He became very influential because of these reasons. 

Above is Zoffany's piece The Academicians of the Royal Academy, made in London from 1771-1772. The Royal Academy of Arts was endorsed by royalty, making it well-known and prestigious. Many important academics of the time are shown in the portrait, making it very popular and influential. Zoffany depicts the scholars discussing different topics, and although it was not specifically scientific discussions, the painting encompasses a shift from a religious viewpoint to one of curiosity and discovery, much like science. His realistic paintings also show this shift. 

I do not like this painting. The colors are not appealing to me, and the whole thing feels very disproportional to me. My least favorite thing, though, would be the absence of women. Even the subjects of the discussion are men. It seems to be more of an ego booster for the men of the academy than anything. That being said, I like how the portrait features the artwork behind the men. 

Sources

“About Georg Ehret.” BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS, www.botanicalartandartists.com/about-georg-ehret.html.

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

German, Georg Dionysius Ehret. “Georg Dionysius Ehret: Pancratium.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/406106.

“Johan Joseph Zoffany (Frankfurt 1733-London 1810) - the Academicians of the Royal Academy.” Royal Collection Trust, www.rct.uk/collection/400747/the-academicians-of-the-royal-academy.

Kultura.Art, kultura.art/artworks/5386/the-alchemist-discovering-phosphorus.