Butterflies of the Soul: Cajal’s Neuron Theory and Art

Abstract

Abstract Santiago Ramon y Cajal, a Spanish scientist (1852-1934), is considered the father of neuroscience. This article examines the role that his artistic techniques played in his development of neuron theory. Cajal’s ability to discover what is called neuron doctrine was facilitated by his and his disciples’ artful approach to drawing images seen through a microscope. They did not copy what they saw but used varied perceptual approaches to capture the nature and structure of neurons through drawing with diverse media. Cajal maintained that drawing not only disciplined the eye but was fundamental to scientific observation and understanding. Examples of these techniques are presented to assist educators in approaches to develop students’ perception of visual phenomena. An examination of Cajal’s approach to neuroscientific exploration provides illuminating exemplars for the study of visual phenomena. This subject is particularly timely now, when fMRI productions provide the ubiquitous images that guide most analyses of brain activity. Art integrated with science follow the tradition of great scientific discovery.