Windows on Nature: The Great Habitat Dioramas of the American Museum of Natural History

by Stephen Christopher Quinn

New York City's American Museum of Natural History is a national treasure, attracting four million visitors annually. Its dioramas-a dazzling mixture of nature, science, and art-have inspired young and old alike, and are world-renowned examples of the unique diorama craft: art in the service of science. Now, in the only book of its kind, readers get an insider's view of these "windows on nature," witnessing their creation step by meticulous step.

More than forty of the museum's finest dioramas are featured here, depicting the fauna and flora of myriad ecological environments. Stephen Quinn, a diorama artist at the museum, introduces the explorers, naturalists, painters, sculptors, taxidermists, and conservationists behind these three-dimensional marvels, and explains how their collaborations make the displays so lifelike. This enchanting book is the perfect gift for nature lovers, art enthusiasts, and museum goers everywhere.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Natural History, Museums, Science, Art History

180 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I have never been to the American Museum of Natural History in New York but I love the dioramas at the Natural History Museum in LA and so was curious about this book.

After a brief introduction to the history of the museum and its dioramas, this book is organized by individual dioramas. Each featured diorama’s history and development is given, always accompanied by photos of the current diorama and the diorama in process. Along the way, the book gives the reader an understanding of how dioramas are constructed, from how they are planned to how they are assembled. We also get a sense of the wide range of people that have worked on the museum’s dioramas across time.

The book provides a fascinating window into this somewhat dated (but still available) type of museum exhibit. It’s pretty specific to the museum and its exhibits but does provide some interesting history of dioramas, in general. If you are curious about dioramas, this is a good read, though would probably be more enjoyable if you have already visited this museum.

[Gina Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book with beautiful photographs of many of the habitat dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History. It includes information about the animals, habitats, museum history and the artist techniques utilized in creating these treasured dioramas.

[Mike Violano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wondrous illustrated look at the creation of the natural wildlife habitat dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History. From the remarkable advances in taxidermy to the painstaking recreations and of the authentic foregrounds and backgrounds by artists there is the thrill of discovery every time you turn a page. Although I have visited the museum many times I never fully understood or appreciated the achievements reflected in the dioramas. The introduction describes the early days of the American Museum of Natural History which opened to the public in 1877 and the first dioramas featuring birds. The next section features many of the dioramas in the Hall of African Mammals dedicated to Carl Akeley, taxidermist, naturalist, and explorer who personally acquired many of the animals displayed on safaris in Africa from 1910 through the early 1920s. Dioramas from the Hall of North American Mammals are also featured with short glimpses of those in the Halls of Pacific Bird Life and Ocean Life. This book is the perfect way to get lost in the illusions of animals in their native environments. Highly recommended.
As a follow up, I just started reading Kingdom Under Glass, the biography of Carl Akeley by Jay Kirk.

[Lindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book about the creation of museum dioramas. It specifically is about the American Museum of Natural History and its magnificent displays but there is a wealth of information about the artists, the techniques, the habitats and animals. For example I had no idea about how taxidermy worked! I know I'm not doing justice to the book; all I can say is it might look like a coffee table book you pick up to remind yourself of that trip to the museum, but you won't be able to stop reading the stories!

[Tiffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have held on to a very old set of nature encyclopedias for some time now, in large part because they feature full page photographs of taxidermy dioramas from the Museum of Natural History. That said, I nearly had an apoplectic fit when I found this book... an entire, beautiful, richly illustrated tome describing the making of the dioramas, associated stories, photographs of the process of their construction. I love it. It's gorgeous.

[Jono · Rating 4 out of 5]

there's something soooooo uncanny & haunting about these (wait for it) still-lifes. Most are presented w/out the photographer editorializing--happily few showoffy details chosen--so it's like a strange book/tour of the Museum, but the parade of motionless dioramas becomes really fun. Could be the perfect choice for that beloved oddball.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book!