Ciencia y arte: las pinturas de los calendarios MAXAM (antes Unión Española de Explosivos) como recursos para la difusión y la enseñanza de la química

Abstract

A collection of paintings by MAXAM (formerly Unión Española de Explosivos, UEE), with allusions to the world of explosives, is described as a tool for teaching and outreach of chemistry. This collection has been formed with an annual picture to illustrate (since 1900) the calendar of the company. After outlining the history of UEE (whose pioneer firm was founded by Alfred Nobel), we present some of the most representative pieces of the collection (including the painting by Isabel Quintanilla, entitled Alfred Nobel’s Landscape, to illustrate the calendar for 2015). Its use is proposed to discuss topics such as: industrial chemistry, history and ethics of science, chemistry of explosives, and chemistry and environment, among others.