Science and art have an interesting relationship. The first thing that comes to mind is that science can be depicted in an artistic way, which can spark interest and attract attention. Cells are mostly colorless when looked under microscopes (except for naturally green chloroplasts). However, most slides are dyed before they are viewed. This enhances the viewers ability to distinguish different parts of the cell but at the same time, it makes it attractive to the eye to the point that one might want to take a picture of it and display it by a museum exhibit. Although the fluorescent colors one might see on an electron microscope image are artificial, they still represent science. Ashley Taylor in her article “The Art of The Brain: “Brainbow” and the Difficulty of Distinguishing Science and Art” brings up the question of whether or not an eye-pleasing representation of scientific data can be called art.

Another connection that is apparent between science and art can be seen when analyzing characters in history such as Leonardo de Vinci. Artists such as de Vinci used their knowledge in science to create works of art. It is no coincidence that the development of sculptural depictions of the body advanced as knowledge of medicine and the human body increased. Another common aspect of art and science is that there are steps in analyzing each. When one sees an artwork or a certain natural phenomenon, he or she has an option to inquire further. A distinction must be made between what is seen and what its implications are. One can ask why the artist used that specific technique or why did that specific phenomenon occur. However, arriving at a solution is entirely different between the two fields. Despite both having the ability to sustain multiple interpretations, art is subjective since there isn’t necessarily a correct answer even if the artist states his or her intentions. Other viewers are free to interpret the art as they feel. Science on the other hand even though multiple answers are presented, the correct answer is defined. It can be a combination of the answers given so in a way both answers can be partially right but at the end of the day there is a correct answer. Taylor concludes at the end of her paper that art and science are similar in multiple aspects.

For me, art has a significant role in science since seeing visually pleasing images enhances my interest in different types of science and in some cases might also help me understand the contents of images in a scientific diagram.