Abstract

HORTOLA, Policarp. THE AESTHETICS OF HAEMOTAPHONOMY: A STUDY OF THE STYLISTIC PARALLELS BETWEEN A SCIENCE AND LITERATURE AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Eidos [online]. 2009, n.10, pp.162-193. ISSN 1692-8857.

This study intends to provide insight into the aesthetics of the science of haemotaphonomy (HTN), by identifying its stylistic parallels with literature and the visual arts. The object of study of HTN is the cytomorphology of the blood cells in bloodstains. Its subjects of study are bloodstained specimens, while its method of study is the analysis of images in chiaroscuro obtained via scanning electron microscopy. Literarily, HTN is stylistically parallel to the aesthetics of both tremendism and decadentism. Visually, HTN is stylistically parallel to the aesthetics of both Churrigueresque architectural decoration and pictorial tenebrism. In accordance with the results of this study, HTN can also be stylistically regarded as literary realism and visual naturalism. Furthermore, because tremendism, decadentism, churriguerism and tenebrism converge into the Baroque culture, it must be concluded that, aesthetically, HTN is a baroquistic science.

Keywords : Red blood cells; blood smears; history & philosophy of science.

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