99 History of Geology

Monday, 17 October 2005
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

KANSAS ARTISTIC GEOLOGISTS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Paper number: 99-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Kansas geologists have been long on artistic talent from the early days. Preparing graphic illustrations of stratigraphic and cross sections for publication requires some artistic proficiency. Artistic ability also is necessary for depiction of fossils and their reconstruction and restoration. Some of the geologists were competent enough to qualify as good amateur artists. Several Kansas geologists/university professors, including Raymond C. Moore and John C. Frye, had a special aptitude for illustrative art; others used their artistic abilities as needed to demonstrate and illustrate their point. University of Kansas geologists, including Orestes St. John, Samuel Wendell Williston, and John (Jack) W. Koenig, associated with the Kansas Geological Survey and KU Department of Geology, were multi-talented artistically. These gifted geologists provided a graphic record of their talent in a series of illustrations. They had the ability to represent geology in the field on drawing paper or canvas - an inherit ability and one that was used extensively in the classical (pre-computer) period in geology. Some, Moore, Williston, and Koenig, also produced accurate and meticulous drawings of fossils. Advent of photography eliminated the need for graphic field illustrations by the geologist, but a few have carried on the classical tradition of previous generations.