Title: Impressionism between art and science : light through the prism of Augustin Fresnel (1790-1900) /
Authors: Mourou, Gerard,; Menu, Michel,; Preti, Monica,; Amouyal, Edmond,
Year: 2020
Subjects: Fresnel, Augustin Jean, Criticism and interpretation.; Fresnel, Augustin Jean,; Art and science; Impressionism (Art); Painting Technique; Painting, Modern; Painting, Modern; Art and science; Impressionism (Art); Painting, Modern; Painting Technique
Abstract: 1820. Painting was undergoing a profound transformation. Representations of reality no longer took precedence over colour. Details were becoming less important and, above all, light began to vibrate, achieving predominance, and announcing Impressionism. In the scientific field, Augustin Fresnel, a young graduate from the École Polytechnique, demonstrated, with the help of his friends André-Marie Ampère and François Arago, that light was made up of waves rather than particles, a theory that ran counter to Newton and all the scientists of the time.