Artwork
Dr. Pasteur
Dr. Pasteur is an ink print by Timothy Cole. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Timothy Cole’s 1925 wood engraving titled “Dr. Pasteur” presents a laboratory scene rendered in fine tonal gradations. The print captures a figure in a dark robe, holding a glass vessel in one hand and a small white object in the other, surrounded by shelves laden with scientific apparatus.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Louis Pasteur, the pioneering French chemist and microbiologist. By placing him amid a cluttered workbench, the image emphasizes the experimental nature of his research and the material culture of 19th‑century science.
Technique & Style
Cole employed the wood engraving medium to achieve a rich spectrum of grays, allowing subtle modeling of light and shadow. Intricate line work defines the textures of the robe, glass, and laboratory equipment, creating depth within the limited tonal range of the print.
History & Provenance
Created in 1925, the engraving was part of Cole’s series of reproductions of historic artworks and scientific portraits. It has remained in private collections before entering a museum holding focused on scientific illustration.
Context
The work reflects early 20th‑century interest in commemorating scientific figures through fine art. Cole’s choice of a wood engraving aligns with the period’s revival of traditional printmaking techniques for educational and documentary purposes.
Artist & collection
