Chemistry and the Arts

This course offers a general background in the connections between chemistry and the arts. Topics include light absorption and reflection; the nature of color; additive and subtractive color mixing; separation of mixtures; properties of paints and pigments; preservation and authentication of art objects; common chemical hazards; and the principles of photography. The laboratory component applies chemical theory and techniques to practices involved in creating works of art. Students use modern laboratory instrumentation and methods such as chromatography to make and examine materials used in art.

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