Cajal, Science and Art Exhibition: A journey through the work of the father of neuroscience

Santiago Ramón y Cajal is one of the most influential figures in the history of science. With a restless and visionary mind, he broke with established doctrines to unravel the mysteries of the brain, laying the foundations of modern neuroscience. His powers of observation, combined with an exceptional talent for drawing, enabled him to capture the complexity of the nervous system with astonishing precision. However, his genius was not limited to the scientific field: his determination, creativity and passion for knowledge made him a universal point of reference.

The exhibition Cajal, Science and Art, which can be visited at the Queen Sofia Foundation Alzheimer Centre until 27 February, offers a fascinating journey through his legacy. Highlights include facsimiles of his impressive neuronal illustrations, documents and panels exploring his life trajectory and scientific contributions. In addition, the exhibition displays reproductions of important awards he received throughout his career, such as the 1906 Nobel Diploma and Medal and the Helmholtz Medal, awarded in 1905 by the Royal Academy of Sciences in Berlin.

Part of his original work, including the Nobel Diptych and various histological preparations fundamental to his Neuronal Theory, are currently on display at the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), as part of the exhibition Santiago Ramón y Cajal, organised in collaboration with the Cajal Institute (CSIC) and curated by Juan Andrés de Carlos. This collection allows us to understand how his work revolutionised our vision of the brain, establishing the Doctrine of the Neuron and the Law of Dynamic Polarisation, essential principles for current neuroscience.

Organised by the Cajal Institute and the MNCN-CSIC together with the MDS, Cajal, Science and Art and CIEN, it invites you to discover the work of a man whose tenacity and curiosity led him to decipher the secrets of the nervous system. His theories, most of which have been confirmed by contemporary science, have left an indelible mark. Cajal helped us to understand the brain and, in our memory - where the art of remembering resides - his legacy will live on forever.