THE ART OF SCIENCE AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY: The 200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLERY - A Lecture presented by The Arts Society Ealing

The National Gallery gives us the opportunity to discover the science behind fine art. How has scientific innovation changed the way we create art? We will examine the development of perspective in the early Renaissance, and the evolution of different paint types. We will look at the way Leonardo da Vinci brought scientific knowledge into art, and we will see how trade brought new copper minerals to Europe that would change the composition of paintings such as Titian's. The industrial revolution meant that science and innovation became the subject of art, with industrial scenes by Turner and Joseph Wright of Derby, and the life-like re-creation of horse anatomy of George Stubbs. Finally, the 20th century brings modern chemistry that takes painting out of the studio and into the open air where we can see the impact of Impressionism.

Aaron Hunter is a professional scientist and researcher with the University of Cambridge and a London Blue Badge Guide, a Green Badge Guide for the City of London and Oxford, and a City of Bath Mayor's Guide. He is a palaeontologist, and has published research on the origin of marine animals 480 million years ago. He worked first as a research fellow in France, Germany and Japan, and then as a Senior Lecturer in Malaysia and Western Australia. He has a passion for archaeology, history, architecture and the history of art, and gives lectures that encompass these subjects, looking at the interface between the arts and sciences.

This talk is at 7:30pm on Monday 22nd July May at St Barnabas Church Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QG.

Visitors are welcome to attend at £8 per lecture (£3 for students); payment can be made in cash or by card on the evening.