Edward Lear may be best known for his nonsense verse, but in his early years he excelled as an illustrator of birds and reptiles. This set of 42 hand-colored lithographs, originally entitled Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots, was the finest achievement of his relatively brief career as a natural history draftsman, before failing eyesight led him to concentrate on his writing. During Lear's time, live parrots were rare and much sought-after, bought and sold for large sums by wealthy amateurs of natural history, and prized by 19th century European aristocracy for their astonishing plumage and mimickry of the human voice. Naturally, fine drawings of them were also highly prized. One of the first collections entirely dedicated to the species, Parrots includes African, Australian, and American parrots bred by eminent ornithologists such as Sir William Jardine and Prideaux John Selby, who sponsored Lear, inspiring and directing his work. Unlike other avian illustrators who often worked with stuffed birds, the young and prodigiously talented Lear (1812-1888) made his drawings from live parrots, capturing their expressions and movements in remarkably lifelike illustrations. The new medium of hand-colored lithography facilitated the vivid elegance of Lear's work. Издание на английском, французском и немецком языках.

Antoine-Joseph Dezallier d'Argenville (1680-1765) was a French courtier, intellectual and amateur natural historian. Fascinated by seashells, he authored one of his era's most lavish books, dedicate to the rarest and most beautiful examples. La Conchyliologie ou Histoire Naturelle des Coquilles de Mer, d'Eau Douce, Terrestres et Fossiles, published in 1780, was a summation of 18th century conchology, with drawings so vivid they sparked a Parisian fad for natural history. The natural beauty of seashells has enchanted cultures around the world since time immemorial. The "recreation of the eye and mind" inspired by them has been celebrated in literature and throughout humanist circles across Europe since antiquity: in his De oratore, the classical scholar Cicero extolled the value of the leisure and friendship cultivated by two friends who spent their leisurely hours collecting shells. These wonderful marine forms-"the artifice of nature"-were considered capable of elevating the spirit and stimulating the senses, as well as refining the taste and creativity of artists. Throughout history, their innumerable shapes, crenulations, and vast variety of colors and patterns have inspired painters and jewelers, architects and textile designers, sculptors and furniture makers, gunsmiths and glass-blowers. TASCHEN's complete reprint of these 80 splendid hand-colored copper engraved plates, rendered in exquisite detail and the subtlest colors, is taken from one of the finest original copies. About the authors: Veronica Carpita studied art history at the University of Pisa. Her numerous publications focus on antiquarian and scientific collections, such as Agostino Scilla's seminal work of conchology, La vana speculazione disingannata dal senso, published in 1670. Sophia Willmann studied biology, and specializes in the behaviour of marine organisms. In 2007 she took part in whale research at the Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa. She is also the author of children's books that focus on biology. Rainer Willmann holds a chair in zoology at Gottingen University, is director of its Zoological Museum, and is co-founder of its Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research. A specialist in phlogenetics and evolution, he conducts research into biodiversity and its history. Издание на английском, немецком и французском языках.

Эрнст Геккель (1834–1919) был родившимся в Германии биологом, натуралистом, эволюционистом, художником, философом и врачом, который посвятил свою жизнь исследованию флоры и фауны от самых высоких горных вершин до глубочайшего океана. Яростный сторонник и разработчик дарвиновских теорий эволюции, он осуждал религиозные догмы, отказался от ранней карьеры в медицине, написал философские трактаты, получил докторскую степень по зоологии и придумал научные термины, которые вошли в обиход, включая экологию, тип и стволовые клетки. Колоссальное наследие Геккеля очаровывало, сбивало с толку и поляризовало поколения. Но что было в основе его выдающейся работы в жизни? Подобно своему интеллектуальному предшественнику Александру фон Гумбольдту, Геккель был заинтересован не только в открытиях, но и в объяснении. Для этого он создал сотни подробных рисунков, акварелей и зарисовок своих находок, которые опубликовал в последовательных томах в течение 20-го века, включая несколько коллекций морских организмов и величественную «Kunstformen der Natur» («Формы искусства в природе»), которые могли бы послужить как краеугольный камень всего жизненного проекта Геккеля.Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor, who spent his life researching flora and fauna from the highest mountaintops to deepest ocean. A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin's theories of evolution, he denounced religious dogma, abandoned an early career in medicine, authored philosophical treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem cell.Haeckel's colossal legacy has fascinated, confounded, and polarized generations. But what was at the heart of his extraordinary life's work? Rather like his intellectual forebear, Alexander von Humboldt, Haeckel was motivated not only to discover but also to explain. To do this, he created hundreds of detailed drawings, watercolors, and sketches of his findings which he published in successive volumes during the 20th century, including several marine organism collections and the majestic Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature), which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel's entire life project.

Эрнст Геккель (1834–1919) был родившимся в Германии биологом, натуралистом, эволюционистом, художником, философом и врачом, который посвятил свою жизнь исследованию флоры и фауны от самых высоких горных вершин до глубочайшего океана. Яростный сторонник и разработчик теорий эволюции Дарвина, он осуждал религиозные догмы, писал философские трактаты, получил докторскую степень по зоологии и придумал научные термины, которые вошли в обиход, включая экологию, тип и стволовую клетку.В основе колоссального наследия Геккеля лежала мотивация не только открывать, но и объяснять. Для этого он создал сотни подробных рисунков, акварелей и набросков своих открытий, которые опубликовал в последовательных томах, включая несколько коллекций морских организмов и величественную книгу «Kunstformen der Natur» («Формы искусства в природе»), которая могла послужить краеугольным камнем Проект всей жизни Геккеля. Подобно тщательной визуальной энциклопедии живых существ, работа Геккеля была столь же замечательна как своей графической точностью и тщательной штриховкой, так и пониманием органической эволюции. От летучих мышей до коробчатых медуз, от ящериц до лишайников, от паучьих лапок до морских анемонов — Геккель подчеркивал существенную симметрию и порядок природы и находил биологическую красоту даже в самых невероятных существах.В этой книге мы отмечаем научную, художественную и экологическую значимость работ Геккеля, представляя коллекцию из 300 его лучших гравюр из нескольких его наиболее важных томов, включая Die Radiolarien, Monography der Medusen, Die Kalkschwämme и Kunstformen der Natur. . В то время, когда биоразнообразию все больше угрожает деятельность человека, эта книга одновременно является визуальным шедевром, подводным исследованием и ярким напоминанием о драгоценном разнообразии жизни.Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor who spent his life researching flora and fauna from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean. A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin’s theories of evolution, he denounced religious dogma, authored philosophical treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem cell.At the heart of Haeckel’s colossal legacy was the motivation not only to discover but also to explain. To do this, he created hundreds of detailed drawings, watercolors, and sketches of his findings which he published in successive volumes, including several marine organism collections and the majestic Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature), which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel’s entire life project. Like a meticulous visual encyclopedia of living things, Haeckel’s work was as remarkable for its graphic precision and meticulous shading as for its understanding of organic evolution. From bats to the box jellyfish, lizards to lichen, and spider legs to sea anemones, Haeckel...

Albertus Seba's "Cabinet of Curiosities" is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time. Though it was common for men of his profession to collect natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) had a passion that led him far beyond the call of duty. His amazing, unprecedented collection of animals, plants and insects from all around the world gained international fame during his lifetime. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of each and every specimen and arranged the publication of a four-volume catalog detailing his entire collection-from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, insects, butterflies and more, as well as fantastic beasts, such as a hydra and a dragon. Seba's scenic illustrations, often mixing plants and animals in a single plate, were unusual even for the time. Many of the stranger and more peculiar creatures from Seba's collection, some of which are now extinct, were as curious to those in Seba's day as they are to us now. Our superb, complete reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-colored original. The introduction offers background information about the fascinating tradition of the cabinet of curiosities to which Seba's curiosities belonged and an additional annex, written by contemporary biologists, provides descriptions of the specimens.

A most unusual collection of natural specimens Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time. Though scientists of his era often collected natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) was unrivaled in his passion. His amazing collection of animals, plants and insects from all around the world gained international fame during his lifetime. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of every specimen and arranged the publication of a four-volume catalog-from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, birds, and butterflies, as well as fantastic beasts, such as a hydra and a dragon. Seba's scenic illustrations, often mixing plants and animals in a single plate, were unusual even for the time. The more peculiar creatures from the collection-some of them now extinct-were as curious in Seba's day as they are today. This reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-colored original. The introduction supplies background information about the fascinating tradition to which Seba's curiosities belonged. The authors: Irmgard Musch, born in 1967, studied art history, history and classical archaeology in Mainz and Berlin. Her Ph.D. thesis from 1999 examines Johann Jakob Scheuchzer's Kupfer-Bibel, a richly illustrated scientific commentary on the Bible from the early 18th century. She has published on art of the 18th and 20th century, scientific illustrations and Kunstkammer pieces. Jes Rust, born 1963, completed his studies in geology, palaeontology and zoology at Gottingen and Kiel. His thesis dealt with the evolution of fossil snails living in the fresh and brackish waters of prehistoric Greece. His assistantship at the Institute of Zoology in Gottingen between 1993 and 1999 was followed by his appointment in 2001 as professor of invertebrate palaeontology and insect phylogeny at the University of Bonn. Rainer Willmann holds a chair in zoology at Gottingen University, is director of its Zoological Museum, and is co-founder of its Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research. A specialist in phlogenetics and evolution, he conducts research into biodiversity and its history.

The distinguished artist, illustrator, author, and poet Edward Lear was one of the great humourists of the 19th century. He is best remembered for his witty nonsense verse, which has delighted readers of all ages for more than 150 years. Beneath the absurd and playful imaginings of Lear’s poetry there lurks a melancholic streak that was to bedevil him throughout his extraordinarily creative, nomadic life. And it is this that gives his writing its haunting quality. This collection includes “The Owl and the Pussycat”, “The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo”, “The Dong with the Luminous Nose”, and a selection of Lear’s unforgettable limericks, and is interspersed with his own engaging pen-and-ink illustrations.

Edward Lear was the greatest nonsensicalist of all time. He was the inventor of the limerick and created the Jumblies and The Owl and the Pussycat. This complete edition of Lear’s nonsense verse – including the limericks, longer verses, alphabets and his own illustrations – is lovingly restored and beautifully presented, for adults and children to enjoy together.

Edward Lear's classic poem, The Owl and the Pussy-cat, beautifully illustrated by Charlotte Voake and introduced with a foreword by Julia Donaldson The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat... Edward Lear's classic poem has delighted readers of all ages for generations. It is given new life by Charlotte Voake's exquisite illustrations in this beautiful new edition. Introduced by a foreword from world-renowned children's author and Lear devotee, Julia Donaldson, this is a book to be treasured by Lear fans both old and young.

Edward Lear's popular poem is accompanied by Ian Beck's gloriously atmospheric illustrations, full of humour and tenderness this is a thoroughly enchanting book.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Calico Pie and The Pobble Who Has No Toes, together with Edward Lear's crazy limericks, have entertained adults and children alike for over 100 years. This edition, illustrated by the author, contains all the verse and stories of the Book of Nonsense, More Nonsense, Nonsense Songs, Nonsense Stories, Nonsense Alphabets and Nonsense Cookery. It has a biographical Preface by Lear himself, and concludes with some delightful 'heraldic' sketches of his cat, Foss.

Exuberant and ingenious, Lear's best-loved poems tell of jumblies, quangle wangles and luminous noses. One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.

Silly, fantastical, romantic, thought-provoking... This stunning collection includes 101 classic poems that every child should read! Find Tennyson, Keats, Shelley, Wordsworth, Edward Lear, Emily Dickinson, Shakespeare and many more. The poems are organised by theme, and lively introductions provide information on the poets and their craft. Includes an index and glossary of poetic form. This collection is beautifully packaged with shiny foil on the cover, making it the perfect gift for all year round.

Explore Ernst Haeckel, the 19th-century artist-biologist who found beauty in the most unlikely creatures. This collection features 300 prints from his most important publications, including the majestic Kunstformen der Natur and his catalogues of marine life. These exquisite images are a scientific, artistic and environmental masterwork.

Explore Ernst Haeckel, the 19th-century artist-biologist who found beauty in the most unlikely creatures. This collection features 300 prints from his most important publications, including the majestic Kunstformen der Natur and his catalogues of marine life. These exquisite images are a scientific, artistic and environmental masterwork.

Contains original illustrations by the author First published in 1846 under the pseudonym "Old Derry down Derry", A Book of Nonsense is a collection adapted from the limericks and illustrations Edward Lear created to amuse the grandchildren of Lord Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, while he was staying with the family at Knowsley Hall. Embodying Lear's passion for nonsense, the limericks, each accompanied by one of Lear's beguiling original illustrations, are fun, lyrical, lively and hilarious, and have enchanted children and adults since their first appearance in the middle of the nineteenth century.