Using Monet's paintings to learn about the phenomenon of dirty gas pollution

British scientists used canvas paintings by the French master Claude Monet to learn about a mysterious pollution phenomenon that clouded London in the late 19th century.

Painting of Westminster Bridge (1871) master painter Claude Monet
(Photo: ibiblio.org)

Two scientists Jacob Baker and John Thomas of Birmingham University (UK) have published a study confirming that Monet's London series of paintings were drawn after direct observation. So far, it has been thought that these paintings were drawn according to memories.

The impressionist artist was known to have stayed in London three times, from 1899 to 1901. When studying the position of the sun with the days of the artist's retention, the researchers found where Monet stood when painting. A study in the artists' letters also allowed verification of their findings.

The two scientists hope the various elements in the structure of the works will provide signs of pollutants covering the British capital around 1900. The mystery still exists in the usual fog. piercing is described by all guests visiting London at the time.

In order to better understand the properties of these famous fog layers, they will study the color and refraction of light shown on the artist's works.

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