A New Book About The First Illustrated Book Devoted To The Study of Insects (with Pictures)

Environmental & Science Education

STEM

Art and Environment

Biodiversity

History of Science

Culture

Edward Hessler

In early August, The Guardian, a British newspaper, published some utterly lovely watercolours of insects painted by the 16th century Flemish artist, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600). They are from "the first illustrated book devoted to the study of insects." 

The writer, Desiree Schneider draws our attention to a new book on Hoefnagel's work, Insect Artifice (Princeton University Press) by Marisa Anne Bass, an art historian at Yeal University. Schneider has chosen a lovely quote from Professor Bass about Hoefnagel's paintings, a reminder of our relationship to the natural world. "Hoefnagel's art is a reminder that nature and culture go hand in hand."

Take a look!