Robert Root-Bernstein highlights some of the more beautiful examples:
[T]he computer chips that run virtually all our devices today are made using a combination of three classic artistic inventions: etching, silk screen printing, and photolithography. Data from NASA and NSA satellites is enhanced using artistic techniques such as chiaroscuro (a Renaissance invention) and false coloring (the Fauvists) to increase the contrast so it's easier to perceive the important information.
(Photo: Sunspot Loops in Ultraviolet via NASA and the TRACE Project)
The Dish 