What can the tiny chia seed reveal about the history of oil painting?

For centuries, one of the most prized mediums of art at museums like the Met has been oil painting, a European tradition embodied by the so-called "old masters." This is the story of how the oil of the chia seed — yes, the same one that’s a staple add-on for smoothies and acai bowls — and its origins in Mexico could help us look at oil painting and our world with fresh eyes. 

Guests:

Elsa Arroyo, Mexican paintings conservator

Ronda Kasl, Curator of Latin American Art, The American Wing, The Met

Monica Katz, Conservator, Hispanic Society

José Luis Lazarte Luna, Assistant Conservator, Paintings Conservation, The Met

Roger Danilo Carmona, General Manager, Kremer Pigments Inc.

Julie Arslanoglu, Research Scientist, The Met

Mario Gaspar, Lacquerware artist

Featured artworks:

José Manuel de la Cerda, Turnus Provoked into War by Aeneas, ca. 1764: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/841656

Juan Correa, The Virgin of Valvanera, ca. 1710: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2008.832

Juan Correa, Allegory of the Holy Sacrament, ca. 1690: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2015.570

Juran Correa, Angel Carrying a Cypress (Ángel portando un ciprés), ca. 1680-1690: https://collections.lacma.org/node/1034999

For a transcript of the episode and more information, visit metmuseum.org/immaterialchia

#MetImmaterial

Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camille Dungy.

Our production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum,  Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith.

Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Muller.
Original music by Austin Fisher.
Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman.
Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimyah-Brempong.

Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund.

And special thanks to Aleks Popowich, Alfonso Miranda Marquez, Beatriz Ortega, Marco Leona, and Avery Trufelman.

The research presented within has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

What can the tiny chia seed reveal about the history of oil painting?
For centuries, one of the most prized mediums of art at museums like the Met has been oil painting, a European tradition embodied by the so-called "old masters." This is the story of how the oil of the chia seed — yes, the same one that’s a staple add-on for smoothies and acai bowls — and its origins in Mexico could help us look at oil painting and our world with fresh eyes. 
Guests:
Elsa Arroyo, Mexican paintings conservator
Ronda Kasl, Curator of Latin American Art, The American Wing, The Met
Monica Katz, Conservator, Hispanic Society
José Luis Lazarte Luna, Assistant Conservator, Paintings Conservation, The Met
Roger Danilo Carmona, General Manager, Kremer Pigments Inc.
Julie Arslanoglu, Research Scientist, The Met
Mario Gaspar, Lacquerware artist
Featured artworks:
José Manuel de la Cerda, Turnus Provoked into War by Aeneas, ca. 1764: <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/841656">https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/841656</a>
Juan Correa, The Virgin of Valvanera, ca. 1710: <a href="https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2008.832">https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2008.832</a>
Juan Correa, Allegory of the Holy Sacrament, ca. 1690: <a href="https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2015.570">https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2015.570</a>
Juran Correa, Angel Carrying a Cypress (Ángel portando un ciprés), ca. 1680-1690: <a href="https://collections.lacma.org/node/1034999">https://collections.lacma.org/node/1034999</a>
For a transcript of the episode and more information, visit metmuseum.org/immaterialchia
#MetImmaterial
Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camille Dungy.
Our production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum,  Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith.
Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Muller. Original music by Austin Fisher. Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman. Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimyah-Brempong.
Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund.
And special thanks to Aleks Popowich, Alfonso Miranda Marquez, Beatriz Ortega, Marco Leona, and Avery Trufelman.
The research presented within has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: paper, clay, jade, shells, and others, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

5,000 years of art, one material at a time

Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: stone, linen, concrete, space, and more, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: stone, linen, concrete, space, and more, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

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