Book reveals 300 years of natural history art

20 November 2009

300 years of natural history art are brought to you in Art of Nature, a new book from the Natural History Museum.

Art of Nature book cover

Many of the greatest natural history artists of the last 300 years are featured in this book and some of the stunning images have never been published before.

Natural history art began a long time before the invention of photography and cameras. The artwork was, and still is, a very important tool in helping scientists identify different species. They also give scientists an insight into the groundbreaking studies and expeditions of naturalists such as Darwin, Banks and Linnaeus.

Author Judith Magee

Art of Nature is written by Judith Magee, Collections Manager of the Natural History Museum Library for over 10 years and highly regarded natural history art historian.

Watercolour of bird of paradise by Franz Bauer, 1818

Magee draws on the Museum's collection of half a million artworks and over 1 million books.

She illustrates the development of natural history art through the centuries and its crucial role in furthering people's appreciation of nature around the world.

Art of Nature is an astonishing visual record and includes features of great artists such as Merian, Bartram, Ehret, the Bauer brothers, Audubon and Gould.

You can buy Art of Nature online or in the Museum Shop.