Skip to main content

Botanical Art from the Golden Age of Scientific Discovery

Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, wall charts were a familiar classroom component, displaying scientific images at a large scale, in full color. But it's only now that they've been superseded as a teaching tool that we have begun to realize something their ubiquity hid: they are stunning examples of botanical art at its finest.

This beautifully illustrated oversized book gives the humble wall chart its due, reproducing more than two hundred of them in dazzling full color. Each wall chart is accompanied by captions that offer accessible information about the species featured, the scientists and botanical illustrators who created it, and any particularly interesting or innovative features the chart displays. And gardeners will be pleased to discover useful information about plant anatomy and morphology and species differences. We see lilies and tulips, gourds, aquatic plants, legumes, poisonous plants, and carnivorous plants, all presented in exquisite, larger-than-life detail.

A unique fusion of art, science, and education, the wall charts gathered here offer a glimpse into a wonderful scientific heritage and are sure to thrill naturalists, gardeners, and artists alike.

 
 

224 pages | 300 color plates | 9 1/2 x 12 | © 2016

Art: Art--General Studies

Biological Sciences: Botany

Reference and Bibliography

Reviews

"Laurent has curated an exquisite collection of historic botanical art. This book is a treat for those who enjoy reading about botany, the history of science, or botanical illustrations."

New York Botanical Garden

In gorgeous full-color pages, Botanical Art from the Golden Age of Scientific Discovery celebrates art and science at the same time—perfect for naturalists, gardeners, artists and even historians. These illustrations date back through the 19th and 20th centuries and are quite transportive—it's incredible to see the artistry of such scientific discoveries, and to think just how significant and advanced they must have been for the time. Yet, there's a timelessness to every illustration in this book, as there's no denying the beauty and awe that nature continues to offer.

Cool Hunting

"In the era of computer presentations and emphasis on innovative teaching, it might be difficult to appreciate the importance once given to botanical wall charts in science education. In Botanical Art from the Golden Age of Scientific Discovery, the reader is introduced to these beautiful wall charts. These are re-created in large format, stunning color, and are arranged according to plant families. Each family is briefly described and followed by representative charts. Lively captions give further information about the plants, the scientists, and the artists. Those interested in pedagogy, plants, and art will find pleasure and inspiration in this book."

Choice

“This is a fabulous book. . . . Go out and buy a copy—you will not be disappointed.”

Economic Botany

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION:
THE SCIENTIST, THE ILLUSTRATOR & THE EDUCATOR
I   
AMARYLLIDACEAE / AMARYLLIS FAMILY

II   
APIACEAE OR UMBELLIFERAE / CARROT FAMILY

III 
ARACEAE / ARUM FAMILY

IV 
ASTERACEAE / DAISY FAMILY

V   
BRASSICACEAE / CABBAGE FAMILY

VI 
CARYOPHYLLACEAE / PINK FAMILY

VII 
CONVOLVULACEAE / MORNING GLORY FAMILY

VIII
CUCURBITACEAE / GOURD FAMILY

IX   
CYCADACEAE / CYCAD FAMILY

X   
DROSERACEAE / SUNDEW FAMILY

XI   
EUPHORBIACEAE / SPURGE FAMILY

XII 
FABACEAE / BEAN FAMILY

XIII
HYDROCHARITACEAE / FROGBIT FAMILY & NYMPHAEACEAE / WATERLILY FAMILY

XIV
LILIACEAE / LILY FAMILY

XV 
USACEAE / BANANA FAMILY & BROMELIACEAE / PINEAPPLE FAMILY

XVI
OLEACEAE / OLIVE FAMILY

XVII
ORCHIDACEAE / ORCHID FAMILY

XVIII
PAPAVERACEAE / POPPY FAMILY

XIX 
PINACEAE / PINE FAMILY

XX 
ROSACEAE / ROSE FAMILY

XXI
RUBIACEAE / COFFEE FAMILY

XXII
SOLANACEAE / POTATO, TOMATO, NIGHTSHADE FAMILY

XXIII
VITACEAE / GRAPE FAMILY

XIV
TYPES

XXV
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
INDEX
PICTURE CREDITS

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press