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"Natural history illustration."
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Eye for detail : images of plants and animals in art and science, 1500-1630
Image-transforming techniques such as close-up, time lapse, and layering are generally associated with the age of photography, but as Florike Egmond shows in this book, they were already being used half a millennium ago. Exploring the world of natural history drawings from the Renaissance, 'Eye for Detail' shows how the function of identification led to image manipulation techniques that will look uncannily familiar to the modern viewer. Egmond shows how the format of images in nature studies changed dramatically during the Renaissance period, as high-definition naturalistic representation became the rule during a robust output of plant and animal drawings. She examines what visual techniques like magnification can tell us about how early modern Europeans studied and ordered living nature, and she focuses on how attention to visual detail was motivated by an overriding question: the secret of the origins of life. Beautifully and precisely illustrated throughout, this volume serves as an arresting guide to the massive European collections of nature drawings and an absorbing study of natural history art of the sixteenth century.
Book
Drawn from Life
An illustrated archeology of the imagination that reveals how artists and writers from the late 16th to the early 19th century, most of whom had never seen North America, portrayed the natural history and landscape of North America to European readers.
eBook
Before disenchantment
Imagine barnacle geese—creaturesthat begin life as leaves on a tree growing above water, but turn into small birds as soon as they fall in. Orthe Lamb of Tartary that gestates inside a large gourd-like fruit. These are just some of the animal and plant hybrids imagined by early modern explorers and artists to describe unfamiliar flora and fauna.
In Before Disenchantment, Peter Mason explores how naturalists grappled with the problem of representing exotic plants and animals, turning an analytic eye on the sketches of German adventurer Caspar Schmalkalden, the skilled artistic renderings of Peter Paul Rubens, the observations of Dutch beachcomber Adriaen Coenen, and the antiquarian pursuits of Nicola Fabri de Peiresc, among others.
Featuringone hundred illustrations of these unusual and captivating creatures—from camel-sheep to races of monopods and red-haired dwarves— Before Disenchantment goes beyond orthodox histories of scientific illustration and champions a sense of wonder often lost in the modern world.
eBook
The Beauty of the Flower
Blooming with rare archival images, the story of scientific botanical illustrations over nearly seven hundred years. In a world flooded with images designed to create memories, validate perceptions, and influence others, botanical illustration is about something much more focused: creating technically accurate depictions of plants. Reproductions of centuries-old botanical illustrations frequently adorn greeting cards, pottery, and advertising, to promote heritage or generate income, yet their art is scientific: intended to record, display, and transmit scientific data. The Beauty of the Flower tells the backstory of these images, showing us how scientific botanical illustrations are collaborations among artists, scientists, and publishers. It explores the evolution and interchanges of these illustrations since the mid-fifteenth century, how they have been used to communicate scientific ideas about plants, and how views of botanical imagery change. Featuring unique images rarely seen outside of specialist literature, this book reveals the fascinating stories behind these remarkable illustrations.
eBook
Voyages of discovery
Recalls three centuries of natural history exploration, and includes maps and rare drawings, as well as the stories of Captain Cook, Charles Darwin, and other explorers.
Book
Decapodiform cephalopods in focus: A case study on natural history illustration book creation
Decapodiform cephalopods are ecologically significant marine animals known for their vivid coloration, complex behaviors, and key roles in trophic webs. Despite their importance, public recognition of these species in Japan remains limited. This study aims to enhance public awareness of decapodiform cephalopods by developing a science picture book that integrates narrative storytelling and natural history illustration as an educational tool. We conducted a case study in Japan involving the creation of a picture book based on a multidisciplinary approach, including scientific literature review, morphological and behavioral observations of live specimens in aquariums, diving-based fieldwork in Okinawa, and detailed examination of preserved museum specimens. Additionally, we designed a supplementary poster illustrating 17 decapodiform species to visually communicate their morphological diversity. Feedback from readers, including educators and museum visitors, indicated that the book was effective in increasing engagement and improving understanding of cephalopod ecology. The poster further supported species recognition and interest in marine biodiversity. Our findings underscore the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, illustrators, museums, and aquariums in developing educational materials, and demonstrate the effectiveness of illustrated science communication in promoting marine ecological literacy.
Journal Article
Creating a scientific picture book of marine organism with natural history illustration: A case study in Japan
In recent years, global concern has grown regarding the degradation of marine ecosystems. Humanity has greatly benefited from the oceans, underscoring the constant need for restoration and conservation of marine ecosystems. International cooperation is essential for protecting the oceans, with Japan, an island nation surrounded by the sea, playing a crucial role in marine environmental conservation. For the sustainable use of marine resources and the preservation of marine environments, comprehensive measures are important. Particularly, marine biology education for the next generation holds great importance. Here, we report a detailed case study on the creation of a scientific picture book about marine organisms in Japan and its feedback. The book explores the theme of mutual symbiosis among marine organisms, aiming through illustrations and storytelling to help children understand the complexities of marine life. It focuses on the symbiotic relationship between hermit crabs and sea anemones. The picture book was developed based on scientific literature survey and specimen observation. Positive feedback from readers highlights how effectively the picture book conveys educational content on marine biology, suggesting the potential of science picture books as powerful tools in educational outreach and environmental conservation efforts. This report discusses the creative process, the educational impact of the picture book, and offers valuable insights into the use of visual arts and narrative in science education.
Journal Article