Elective affinities: Valencia and the Chemical Revolution

Elective affinities: Valencia and the Chemical Revolution(1780-1820)

From May 26 to October 30 2011

Palacio de Cerveró (Plaza de Cisneros, 4 - 46003, Valencia)

Exhibition hours: From Monday to Friday, from 9 to 20 h. Saturday from 9 to 14h. and from 16 to 20

The building will be closed from 8 to 21 August.

IHMC-Palau de Cerveró [+]

Laboratorio de Wilheim Carl Scheele (1742-1786), uno de los potenciales descubridores del oxígeno.

Organised by López Piñero History of Medicine and Science Institute. Valencia University – Sociological Research Centre, CSIC.

Venue: Palacio de Cerveró (Plaza de Cisneros, 4 - 46003, Valencia)
Curator: José Ramón Bertomeu (Full Professor, Universitat de València). 

“Elective affinities: Valencia and the Chemical Revolution”

In the section devoted to chemistry in the famous Encyclopédie of the mid 18^th century, the “love for chemistry” was said to be “a passion of the insane”. The article stated that chemists were a not too numerous “different people”, with a language and mysteries of their own, “almost isolated” and surrounded by individuals who were “not too curious about their activities”. This situation changed substantially in the following years as chemistry progressively entered universities, as was the case with the Medical College of Valencia University. Not only did the number of courses, lecturers and students with an interest in chemistry rise. Strong expectations also emerged as to the medical and industrial prospects of this science. By the late 18^th century, novelties were so relevant that some authors talked about a genuine “revolution in physics and chemistry”. It was precisely then that the chemistry professorship was created in the University of Valencia.

Análisis del arsénico. Soluciones y precipitaciones producidas con diversos reactivos. Procedente de la obra de Jean L. Lassaigne. Tratado completo de química… Madrid, Vda. de calleja, 1844.

Máquina pneumática. Instituto de Educación Secundaria Luis Vives de Valencia.

The exhibition “Elective affinities: Valencia and the Chemical Revolution” explores this coincidence and the development of modern chemistry in 18^th century Valencia. The exhibition is divided into two sections. The first part shows the changes in European chemistry at the end of the 18^th century, with events leading to the creation of the chemistry professorship in Valencia, aimed at training physicians and craftsmen. Historic examples allow us to critically ponder about relevant issues in emerging chemistry at the time, subjects which remain highly interesting today and that might be of interest in the future too: the relationship between science, technology and society, the public image of chemistry, the circulation of scientific and technological knowledge, the applications of chemistry to industry and medicine, the role of scientific instruments in experimental research, and the links between science and economic and political power. The second section is focused on the most renowned chemical student of Valencia University: Mateu Orfila i Rotger (1787-1853). Through his letters and mementoes, his years as a student, his toxicological research and his activity as an expert in some famous poisoning crimes are recreated. Thanks to the excellent collections of the University of Valencia and those borrowed from other academic institutions, an exhibition tour has been put together, one that includes numerous visual elements, instruments, books and documentaries, following a thread that is loyal to the most recent historic investigations. An extensive side programme has also been prepared, including related activities such as a film cycle, a monographic issue of the magazine Mètode, and an internet website with abundant biographical information, a glossary of chemical terms, and a digital library. All these resources will contribute to increasing the level of information and to making the most of the affinities –including elective ones- that the exhibition seeks to boost in the celebrations of 2011 as the international year of chemistry.

Portada del manual de química de Pierre Macquer (1718-1784). Detalle.

Pierre Macquer (1718-1784). Tabla de elementos de química teórica.

“Retrato del matrimonio Lavoisier” David (1748-1825).