Controversial Theory About The Renaissance Painters Examined at UC

Did the Old Masters use lenses and mirrors to achieve the lifelike quality of the paintings that made them legends? That theory, developed by a world famous artist in collaboration with an optical scientist, is generating heated debate in the art circles. The scientific side of this controversial duo, Charles Falco, will present "The Intersection of Art and Science, Rethinking the Techniques of the Old Masters" from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in 4400 Aronoff (NEW LOCATION) in the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture includes a panel discussion with UC art historians, artists and scientists. Preceding the lecture will be a display of lenses and mirrors to demonstrate the theory. The display, coordinated by the University of Cincinnati Physics Department, is available for viewing at 3:30 p.m. A UC book exhibition also will feature the historic works of the great painters that are now getting a second look as a result of the hypothesis. That exhibition is presented by University Libraries and will be in the DAAP Library.

Falco, a professor of optical sciences at the University of Arizona, and famed British artist David Hockney made headlines (and for some art experts, caused an outcry) around the world when they first presented the thesis last year at New York University. At the center of the controversy is the question: How did the great painters achieve their perfection, the realism of works by such artists as Jan van Eyck, Lorenzo Lotto, and the Dutch master Jan Vermeer, to name just a few? Hockney and Falco say the artists used lenses and mirrors to project the image of the subject onto their canvases, working from that image instead of drawing it in freehand.

UC art historian and Vice Provost for Academic Planning Kristi Nelson says the technique could be considered one of many tools artists would use for painting, but adds in the art circles, there's mixed reaction. "Some art historians affirm that artists would not have painted directly from lenses. Others are saying, 'For a long time, we've said this was a possibility.' One of the other points to the argument is that the Old Masters developed their technique through their long apprenticeships, so they perfected their eye-to-hand coordination and knew how to draw very well."

Nelson will be on the discussion panel, which also includes the following UC faculty: