The Art and Science of Ernst Haeckel. 45th Ed.

by Rainer Willmann, Julia Voss

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 emphasized the essential symmetries and order of nature, and found biological beauty in even the most unlikely of creatures. In this book, we celebrate the scientific, artistic, and environmental importance of Haeckel’s work, with a collection of 300 of his finest prints from several of his most important tomes, including Die Radiolarien, Monographie der Medusen, Die Kalkschwämme, and Kunstformen der Natur. At a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities, the book is at once a visual masterwork, an underwater exploration, and a vivid reminder of the precious variety of life. About the series TASCHEN is 40! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping bookworms around the world curate their own library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. Today we celebrate 40 years of incredible books by staying true to our company credo. The 40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program―now more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same commitment to impeccable production.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Art, Biology, Ecology, Nature, History

511 pages, Hardcover

Published July 2, 2020

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of Ernst Haeckel's illustration plates with some interesting essays (Can these be considered essays?) giving historical and biographical context on this historical figure. The biological information is also very interesting (though I ended up skipping a bit - already had those classes, thanks) and as far as I can tell accurate.
A nice book to have if one likes scientific illustration or just to have some pretty neat illustrations at hand.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

En este libro se recogen muchas de las ilustraciones de Ernst Haeckel, así como una extensa biografía y explicaciones sobre sus investigaciones. Personalmente, no conocía todas las aportaciones de Haeckel a la ciencia. Algunas de ellas muy importantes. El texto puede llegar a ser un poco especializado en términos de Biología.
Las ilustraciones son increíbles. Llenas de detalles. Me gusta como según el grupo que estuviera estudiando el estilo de dibujo lo adaptada. También hay que recalcar la composición de las diferentes láminas.
Muy recomendable para conocer a este científico y su obra.
PD. Está escrito en inglés

[Iris Sampaio · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those in love with nature and art and Haeckel. Amazing work of art!!!

[Granit Hysiqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO NOT read this book if you have trypophobia.

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book looks so much nicer than it reads. The art is fantastic but, it’s not inspiring for my tastes.