Art, nature and imaging

The Natural History Museum's collections contain over half-a-million artworks. Explore a selection of the finest artworks from the Museum's collections and learn how techniques for making a visual record of the natural world have developed since the 17th century.

Artists and scientists have been inspired by the natural world for centuries. Images capture nature in ways that compliment the words and data of science. Illustrations and paintings give instantly understandable and memorable pictures that communicate something of their subject’s essential nature.

But art isn’t the whole picture. Imaging techniques have developed in sync with science so that today we also benefit from advanced photographic tools and incredibly sophisticated imaging technology.

17th century to today

Find out how artists and image makers have worked with scientists to describe and record the natural world since the 17th century.
Natural history art techniques

Learn about some of the techniques used over the last 300 years and about the work of 3 modern-day artists in these videos.
Collections

Explore some of the Museum’s collections of natural history art from the 18th and 19th centuries, including from the India collection and the voyage of HMS Endeavour.
Animal images

Take a closer look at works of art showing animals from jellyfish, insects, snails, fish and reptiles, to the most charismatic of mammals.
Bird images

What is it about birds that has inspired so many artists to paint them? Maybe it's their plumage or maybe their ability to fly? See what you think.
Audubon's The Birds of America images

Marvel at some of the finest bird illustrations by John James Audubon, from his most famous work, The Birds of America.
Botanical images

Plants are so important to us that it's not surprising they are featured in so many works of natural history art.
UK species images

Browse a selection of some of the very best artwork in our collections depicting species and habitats from the UK.
People and places images

Voyages of scientific exploration around the world became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. When they returned, explorers brought with them a wealth of imagery portraying the people and places they visited.
Extinct species images

Scientific research and artistic representation can help us understand more about the amazing and diverse forms of life that have lived before us.
Geological images

Art and imagery have been and continue to be very important in the study of geology. From recording individual events, to mapping and describing individual specimens.
Modern imaging

Examine the hidden secrets revealed by tools that help us explore beyond the reaches of our own vision: CT scans, X-rays, electron microscopes and satellite data.
Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition

Browse stunning, award-winning wildlife photographs from one of the most prestigious competitions of its kind.

Print version

Customise art and illustration prints

Customise and buy art and illustration prints online

Customise a beautiful print from our unique collection of artworks from just £15.

Select an image from the Museum's new permanent gallery, Images of Nature. Choose from a range of options to customise your print and we'll deliver it direct to your door.

Customise a print