Lumen: The Art and Science of Light
Astronomers on Mount Athos (detail), in The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, about 1400–1425, Master of the Mandeville Travels. Tinted ink on parchment. The British Library Collection, Add. 24189, fol. 15. Image © The British Library Board
To be human is to crave light. We rise and sleep according to the rhythms of the sun, and have long associated light with divinity. Focusing on the arts of western Europe, Lumen explores the ways in which the science of light was studied by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim philosophers, theologians, and artists during the “long Middle Ages” (800-1600 CE). During this period science (or the study of the physical universe) served as the connective thread for diverse cultures across Europe and the Mediterranean, uniting scholars who inherited, translated, and improved upon a common foundation of ancient Greek scholarship. Several contemporary artworks, including special installations by Helen Pashgian and Charles Ross will extend the exhibition’s reach throughout the Museum.
Supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities
This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.
This is a past exhibition.
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About PST ART
Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART, returns in September 2024, presenting over 70 exhibitions from organizations across the region exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art.
Selected Works
Astrolabe with Lunar Mansions
624-25 AH/1227-28 CE, 'Abd al-Karim al-Misri. Brass with gold and silver damascene work. History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv. 37148. Image © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford
Ølst Golden Altar
1200-1225 CE, Danish. Fire-gilt copper sheet over oak. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, inv. D.5144
On the Construction of the World, in Book of Divine Works (Liber divinorum operum)
About 1210-40 CE, Hildegard of Bingen (Saint). Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment. Biblioteca Statale di Lucca, Ms. 1942, fol. 9, sec. XIII. By permission of the Ministero della Cultura – Biblioteca Statale di Lucca. No further reproduction or duplication by any means
The Stigmatization of Saint Francis
About 1420 CE, Gentile da Fabriano. Tempera and gold leaf on panel. Fondazione Magnani-Rocca, Mamiano di Traversetolo, Parma, 583
Geometric Page in the Kennicott Bible with David Kimhi’s "Sefer Mikhlol"
1476 CE, Spanish. Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment. Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 123. Photo: © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Eye Model with Case
Before 1700 CE. Silver and glass (model); leather with gold tooling (case), French. Stiftung Deutsches Optisches Museum (D.O.M.), Jena, inv. 8736100002726, 8736100002621. Photo: Luca Spano
Untitled (Parabolic Lens)
1971, Fred Eversley. Three-color, three-layer cast polyester. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Acquired through the generosity of Michael S. Ovitz and Gary and Karen Winnick, and Committee on Painting and Sculpture Funds, 2017.782.2017. © Frederick Eversley. Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art / Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY
Untitled (Muqarnas)
2012, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. Mirrors, reverse-glass painting, and plaster on wood. High Museum of Art, Atlanta. Purchase with funds from the Farideh & Al Azadi Foundation, 2019.174. Artwork © The Estate of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. Photo: Mike Jensen
Configuration of the Planets (AD March 28, 579) in Aratea
About 830–40 CE, Aratos of Soli, author. Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment. Leiden University Libraries, MS Voss. lat. Q 79, fol. 93v
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