Legacy and Insights: Celebrating Santiago Ramón y Cajal Through Art and Science

Part 1: Celebrating Santiago Ramón y Cajal on the 172nd Anniversary of His Birth

May 1, 2024, marks the 172nd anniversary of Santiago Ramón y Cajal's birth. To commemorate this occasion, I am sharing my latest drawings from the Cajal Inventory, created during a recent trip to Madrid. These include a portrait of Cajal and a composite caricature of visitors at the National Museum of Natural Sciences. The museum currently hosts an exhibition titled "The Historical Legacy of Santiago Ramón y Cajal," featuring his workspace with original furnishings and personal items. This exhibition also displays over 28,000 artifacts from the Cajal Legacy, maintained under the supervision of the CSIC.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal's contributions include his progression from a Licentiate in Medicine to various professorships, ultimately securing a chair in Histology and Pathological Anatomy in Madrid. His notable publications include the Textura del sistema nervioso del hombre y de los vertebrados among over 100 journal articles. Cajal received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in 1906, memberships in royal academies, and honorary degrees from universities such as Cambridge and Clark. His influence extends beyond his lifetime, highlighted by ongoing recognitions such as the publication by the Caroline Institute on his centenary.

Portrait of Cajal by artist Dawn Hunter, marker and pen on paper, 11" x 14."

Scientific Publications: He published significant works on histology and anatomy, notably the Textura del sistema nervioso del hombre y de los vertebrados, and contributed over 100 articles to scientific journals.

Recognition and Awards: He received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in 1906, was a member of several royal academies and societies, and received honorary degrees from universities such as Cambridge and Clark University.

Influential Lectures: Cajal was invited to deliver prestigious lectures, including the Croonian Lecture in London and lectures at Clark University in the USA.

Enduring Impact: His work continues to be celebrated, evidenced by publications and honors in his name, like the volume published by the Caroline Institute on his centenary(Acta Physiol. Scand., Vol. 29, Suppl. 106).

Portrait of artist Dawn Hunter at the Cajal exhibition, Museo Nacional de Ciencas Naturales, Madrid, Spain.

Caricature portraits of visitors to the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain. Marker and pen on paper, 11" x 14."

Part 2: Updates on Scholarly Pursuits and Exploration of Cajal's Work

“The histologist . . . has two important adversaries the smallness and the colorless”, wrote Cajal in Recuerdos de mi vida (1917, p. 337, translated here by DeFelipe).

I am pleased to announce the publication of Art, Intuition, and Identity in Ramón y Cajal in the History of Neuroscience section of The Neuroscientist. I extend my gratitude to my coauthor, Javier DeFelipe, for his pivotal insights on Cajal and to Bevil Conway for his mentorship in scholarly writing. Arpan Mehta of the Cajal Embroidery Project also played a crucial role in the success of our collaboration, starting with our initial six-hour discussion in 2021.

Our essay examines Cajal's legacy, emphasizing his artistic skills alongside his scientific innovations. Cajal's methodical use of the Golgi method, complemented by various histological dyes, provided deep insights into brain structure and function. He adeptly combined his artistic talent with scientific research, using techniques like photography to enhance public engagement with his anatomical sketches. This blend not only solidified his professional image but also left a lasting impact on both the scientific and cultural landscapes.

Read the entire essay, here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10738584241234049

Photo by Dawn Hunter of the Cajal Exhibition at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal, undated multiple self-portrait photos printed by Cajal. 

Exploring the Wonders of the Human Brain: A Journey through Science and Art at the Madrid Book Fair

The 82nd Madrid Book Fair, spanning the duration of two weeks (May 26-June 11, 2023), is welcoming visitors with a multitude of booths representing nearly 1,000 publishing houses across 424 exhibitors. This year's event has undergone modifications aimed at redesigning specific areas to enhance the accessibility of books and alleviate congestion. One noteworthy addition is the implementation of the "shadow project," whereby select sections of the fairgrounds will be covered with tarps. This initiative has been made possible through the support of the Healthy Skin Foundation of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Another departure from the Madrid Book Fair tradition is the omission of the customary "Guest Country" designation, which has been replaced by the overarching theme and motto:          

"We're into Science and Letters"  [#DeCienciasYLetras] 

In line with this new approach, exploring scientific literature, many activities are organized to include an established "Science Square" that serves as a collective epicenter of the fair. Among the notable attractions within this area is a projection of a giant brain, coinciding with the Año Cajal, created by CSIC Divulga, provides insights into the intricacies of neuronal functioning.

Left, my drawing of Cajal's sketchbook page of dividing skin cells and right, the Cajal's published finished drawing of dividing skin cells from his textbook: Manual de Histología Normal y de Técnica Micrográfica par Uso de Estudiantes

The opening discourse of the Madrid Book Fair, aligned with the overarching science theme of this edition, will be delivered by Agustín Fernández Mallo, an esteemed writer, in collaboration with Nazareth Castellanos, a doctor of Neuroscience, and Andrés Newman and Raquel Lanseros, both of whom have demonstrated a particular interest in scientific matters through their literary works. Furthermore, various gatherings, experiments, and panel discussions revolving around science will be held in the Children's Pavilion, the CaixaBank Pavilion, and the Eugenio Trías Library. These events, many of which are organized by the CSIC and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, aim to foster engagement with scientific topics.

CSIC's Brain Exhibition at the 2023 Madrid Book Fair/Feria del Libro de Madrid, image courtesy of CSIC Divulga 

Recognizing that science permeates our daily lives, the Madrid Book Fair endeavors to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and the general public. In this context, activities explore diverse manifestations we encounter, like the metadata that impacts cyber algorithms that shape our social networks and our individual and collective identities. Other presentations of contemporary existence, such as emerging artificial technologies, have showcased how art is integrated into our lives through scientific illustrations. To that end, the Madrid Book Fair welcomed esteemed guests, including Alejandro Vergara Sharp, the head of the Conservation Area of Flemish Painting and Northern Schools at the Prado Museum, and José Ramón Marcaida, the Head Scientist of the History of Science Department at the CSIC History Institute. Together, these two experts shed light on the captivating interplay between art and science during the 15th and 16th centuries, revealing key insights into this dynamic relationship. Other experts specializing in diverse fields will offer insights on the intersection of scientific and literary subjects on the pavilion for Science and Universities.

A riveting exhibit at the Madrid Book Fair, introduced above, is the enthralling exhibition that explores one of science's most enigmatic marvels: the human brain. This exhibit dovetails with the Año Cajal and    examines the intricacies and allure of the brain and the exhibition examines the complexity of the human mind. This installation embodies a unique and immersive experience that is captivating to the viewer and is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between science and art.

CSIC's Brain Exhibition featuring Cajal at the 2023 Madrid Book Fair/Feria del Libro de Madrid, image courtesy of CSIC Divulga 

Citing Cajal's legendary scientific and artistic endeavors, the exhibition draws visitors into a realm where science and creativity intertwine. The display aims to foster a dialogue between scientific discovery and artistic expression through a multidimensional exploration that provides a gateway to a deeper understanding of the enigmatic nature of our cognition.

Through its immersive and visually striking presentation, the exhibition evokes wonder and curiosity - inspiring future generations of researchers and creatives. As spectators traverse the exhibition, they will witness the intricate tapestry of neural connections, gaining insight into history and the inner workings of human consciousness and explore the potential of the future through new technologies and groundbreaking innovations. Guests can obtain passes and schedule a visit to the exhibition on CSIC's website:   here  

As is customary, many authors are scheduled to attend the fair and will be signing copies of their books. This year the Madrid Book Fair will present a selection of prominent figures and authors whose works have achieved widespread acclaim and garnered substantial demand. This year's fair will pay tribute to literary giants Jorge Luis Borges, Antonio Gala and Juan Benet on Friday, June 8, 2023. 

More Information

The 2023 Madrid Book Fair runs from May 26-June 11 at El Retiro Park.  

Book Fair hours are:

• Monday-Thursday, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 
• Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 am to 3:00 pm & from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
• The closest Metro Madrid stations are Príncipe de Vergara (Lines 2 and 9), Ibiza (Line 9), and Retiro (Line 2).

Official Madrid Book Fair website   here  

CSIC's Brain Exhibition at the 2023 Madrid Book Fair/Feria del Libro de Madrid, image courtesy of CSIC Divulga 

Madrid Book Fair/Feria del Libro de Madrid, El Retiro Parque

Book display at the Madrid Book Fair/Feria del Libro de Madrid, El Retiro Parque