Synopses & Reviews
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries witnessed a surge in the study of and interest in botanicals that led to some of the greatest books of plant illustration ever made, including such outstanding examples as the
Hortus Eystettensis, work by Maria Sibylla Merian, Thorntonandrsquo;s
Temple of Flora, Banksandrsquo;s
Florilegium, and Sibthorpandrsquo;s
Flora Graeca. Culled from these masterpieces of botanical art, this lavishly illustrated new book reproduces one hundred of the most beautiful flower images from this period.and#160;As Celia Fisher explains, during this time several developments took place that led to a significant increase in the popularity and output of botanical illustration, including the revolution created by the advancement of metal engraving, the development of the new Linnaean system for classifying types of plants, and the epic voyages of discovery that recorded and collected the exotic plants encountered in remote, uncharted lands. The historical illustrations presented here are arranged in alphabetical order by flower with an accompanying text that outlines their geographic and botanical origins, the derivation of their names, and the properties for which they were most valued.and#160;This beautiful and informative book will appeal to gardeners and flower lovers as well as readers interested in the history of botany and illustration.
Review
"Scientistsandnbsp;often wonder whoandnbsp;first illustratedandnbsp;biodiversity, and I imagine that artists often wonder about the chronology and development of accurate depictions ofandnbsp;natural history. Amazing Rare Things is a welcome and long overdue integration of art and science.and#8221;and#8212;Margaret D. Lowman, author of Itand#8217;s a Jungle Up There and Life in the Treetops
Synopsis
From the fifteenth century onwards, as European explorers sailed forth on grand voyages of discovery, their encounters with exotic plants and animals fanned intense scientific interest. Scholars began to examine nature with fresh eyes, and pioneering artists transformed the way nature was seen and understood. In
Amazing Rare Things, renowned naturalist and documentary-maker David Attenborough joins with expert colleagues to explore how artists portrayed the natural world during this era of burgeoning scientific interest.
The book focuses on an exquisite selection of natural history drawings and watercolors by Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Marshal, Maria Sibylla Merian, and Mark Catesby, and from the collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo; works all held in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Attenborough and his coauthors offer lucid commentary on topics ranging from the 30,000-year history of human drawings of the natural world, to Leonardo’s fascination with natural processes, to Catesby’s groundbreaking studies that introduced Europeans to the plants and animals of North America. With 160 full color illustrations, this beautiful book will appeal to readers with interests that extend from art and science to history and nature.
Synopsis
A gorgeously illustrated volume devoted to the natural history drawings and watercolors of Leonardo da Vinci and other outstanding artists of the Age of Discovery
About the Author
David Attenboroughand#8217;s distinguished career in broadcasting spans more than 50 years. A pioneer of the nature documentary, he has written and presented nine major television series on virtually every aspect of life on Earth, including most recently Planet Earth. He was knighted in 1985, was created a member of the Order of Merit in 2005, and has received many other awards and honorary degrees. Susan Owens is assistant curator of the Print Room at Windsor Castle. She curated the recent exhibit, Watercolours and Drawings from the Collection of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Martin Clayton is deputy curator of the Print Room at Windsor Castle. He has published extensively on Renaissance art. Rea Alexandratos is coordinator of the Dal Pozzo Catalogue Project.
Table of Contents
Author's note
Introduction
The Plants
Acacia
Agapanthus
Aloe
Alstroemeria
Amaryllis
Anemone
Arctotis
Argemone
Arum
Aster
Auricula
Babiana
Banksia
Bombax
Bromeliad
Cactus
Caesalpinia
Calceolaria
Callistemon
Callistephus
Calycanthus
Camellia
Campsis
Canarina
Canna
Cercis
Cerinthe
Chimonanthus
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Cornus
Cirnum
Curcuma
Cymbidium
Cypripedium
Datura
Dianthus
Digitalis
Dillenia
Dodecatheon
Eichhornia
Erica
Erythrina
Eucalyptus
Eucomis
Euphorbia
Fritillaria
Fuchsia
Gardenia
Gladiolus
Glaucium
Gloriosa
Gossypium
Grevillea
Haemanthus
Hamamelis
Hedychium
Heliconia
Helleborus
Hermodactylus
Hibiscus
Ipomoea
Iris
Kalmia
Kniphofia
Lathyrus
Lavendula
Lilium
Liriodendron
Magnolia
Monarda
Narcissus
Nelumbo
Nepenthes
Nerine
Nerium
Nymphaea
Opuntia
Paeonia
Papaver
Passiflora
Pelargonium
Phaius
Phlox
Plumeria
Prosthechea
Protea
Rhododendron
Rose
Rudbeckia
Sarracenia
Selenicereus
Sprekelia
Stapelia
Strelitzia
Teleopea
Tropaeolum
Tulip
Vanda
Zantedeschia
Zinnia
Index
Further Reading