Featuring 275 beautiful and fascinating illustrations, taken from historically important and rare sketchbooks from botanists, artists, collectors and explorers - this is an in-depth look at the art of the botanical sketch. Often the sole scientific record of an expedition or collection, these hand drawn and painted images capture both vital floral and botanical specimens, as well as landscapes and marginalia from key moments in the history of botanical illustration and investigation.
Chapters in the collection include "Made on Location" - botanical art as part of a travelogue or imperial project featuring the works of Muir, Bartram, Helen Faulkner, Charles Parish, John Reeves and many more: "Doing Science" - featuring Linnaeus, Gesner, Merian, Dorat, Mary Grierson and more : "Making Art", featuring the botanical works of Durer, Constable, Samuel Palmer, Ruskin, Edward Lear and others and " A Pleasing Occupation" - a shorter section focussing on botanical art as recreation, hobby or a retreat from the world.
Stunning, evocative and hard to access antique images abound - from flower and seed heads, colour swatches, the notes of major illustrators and more. Pages filled with botanical detail of myriad wonderful and unusual plants.
