Publisher's Synopsis
From some of the earliest attempts at art to the plant hunters of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the images produced in the study of plants have held a fascination for all those who love nature. The Golden Age of Botanical Art brings together the stories of the intrepid explorers (some of whom became botanical artists by default) and the many professional artists who recorded the flora that they discovered on their travels and expeditions. Truly global in its scope, this beautifully illustrated book moves across centuries and continents looking at the artistry of China and India, delving into the sketchbooks of explorers in the Himalayas and following the voyages of those who discovered new worlds and new species as far apart as Russian and South America. Alongside special features on key figures in the botanical art world, the book highlights the work of some of the great names of botanical art, including Ehret and Bauer. The Golden Age of Botanical Art includes a host of rarely, or previously unpublished, images, and shows how what might have been a pastime for some also made a significant contribution to our understanding of the world and the glories of nature.
