Science Illustration. A History of Visual Knowledge from the 15th Century to Today

by Anna Escardó, Julius Wiedemann (Editor)

Pictorial insights into scientific discoveries that have changed the world

Science and illustration have always walked hand in hand, and not only the scientific community but the general public as well have used images since early history to understand natural phenomena. Moreover, from Galileo to Einstein, our modern history has been written with the key support of art and with all the insights it contributes. This XL-sized book collects more than 300 graphic works that range from original sketches to technical drawings, and from meticulous hand illustrations to computer-generated images.

The Western scientific revolution that started in the 14th century catapulted humankind into a completely new way of understanding how nature and the world around us behaved. Whether it was diseases caused by viruses or the vast galaxies of the cosmos, a new army of professionals turned their minds to unlocking and reshaping the universe of our experience with a dialectic positioned between theory and evidence. The field of illustration and the development of knowledge became inseparably intertwined, as can be seen by the majestic works shown in this book that were produced by the scientists and artists who specialized in this combined field.

Explore here the work of more than 700 scientists and over 300 discoveries in anatomy, physics, chemistry, astronomy, mechanics, and many other scientific fields, through the visual works that bring them to life. Combined with detailed texts explaining their scientific significance, the illustrations in this book introduce the work of such pionieering scientists as Andreas Vesalius, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, and Rosalind Franklin. The visualizations themselves present game-changing ideas and discoveries from the 15th century to the present day, notably including Galileo’s watercolors of the moon, Bourgery’s unparalleled Atlas of Human Anatomy and Surgery, Florence Nightingale’s statistical diagrams to indicate war casualties, and Einstein’s quickly scribbled ideas for his general theory of relativity.

Many discoveries in science take place as the result of counterintuitive thinking, and in order to visualize their work scientists have to connect with the resources of collective knowledge and in turn convey new information back to people. This book is for everyone who is continually amazed by the wonders of our world and who wants to find out more about it through the remarkable illustrations used to present advances in scientific understanding.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Art

436 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2022

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides a really wonderful survey/timeline of developments in the sciences over the last 500 years or so. Of course with the caveat it was almost entirely from a European perspective (though plenty of U.S. stuff squeezed in there starting in the late 19th century. huzzah). I have to admit I flipped right past as many of those anatomy illustrations as possible (I still get a bit sick to my stomach when I remember looking at one of those classic Renaissance-human-dissection illustrations [ugh, I couldn't look away despite the revulsion] in some book my family had when I was four or five).

And to be completely honest, I was expecting more colorful, vibrant illustrations for the 20th century+ stuff; but nooooo, that was a lot of formulas. Like, A LOT of formulas and equationzzzzzzzz. All of that to say, the book is fabulously written and produced! That was all very wonderful. My three-star review is mainly a reflection of my own lack of interest in cream and black images of formulas and equations from so much of the late 19th century on...

The one, and perhaps only tidbit that I think will stick with me from reading this was the delightful explanation of civil engineering. As in civil, not military! engineering. Who knew?




And finally! Big thanks to San Francisco Public Library for shipping this to me to read via Sacramento Public. <3 I adore all my public libraries...

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ton (well hundreds) of big beautiful reproductions of scientific illustrations, drawings, charts, and whatnot from the last 300 years. Shown in more or less chronological order, the subject matter jumps around - maps followed by anatomical illustrations followed by engineering drawings. So not grouped together or anything, just kind of random by date. There is some text (in English, French, and German) but I mostly just skimmed that and gazed at the cool pictures.

[Brant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous book highlighting important and groundbreaking scientific and mathematical illustrations. You'll find early anatomical sketches, important botanical drawings, mathematical diagrams, maps, astronomy charts, and so forth, dating from the 15th century onward. There are also some interesting notes regarding each century's key scientists, chemists, etc., and on how improvements in printing and design have enabled better diagrams and charts. This book is enormous which makes it even better, I'm glad they gave the illustrations room to breathe!

[Donna Luu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed the first few chapters when I realized how far back they went. The best chapter is last one with science and tech we recognize. Seemed like it was biased in favor of Nobel winners (though acknowledging some people who were passed over).

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[una]

ИСКРЕНО....... после стоте стране само сам гледала слике

[Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. I love the structure and clarity. This will serve as a source of inspiration. Something worth sharing.