Plant, animal & anatomical illustration in art & science : a bibliographical guide from the 16th century to the present day /

This extraordinary book is handsomely illustrated with full-page plates comprising John Payne's complete Flora: Flowers, Fruicts, Beastes, Birds, and Flies Exactly Drawne (London, c. 1660). The introduction discusses the scope and presents useful information concerning early icones (pre-17th century collection of illustrations), emblem books, works on "nature printing," and the literature of photographic illustration. Chapters treat bibliographies; works on nature in general; literature on illustrating plants, animals, and the human body; biographies of artists; and periodicals. Chapters except the first and last are subdivided into three sections: drawing and painting, history, and photography. The chapter "Artist Biographies" presents collective and individual biographies of artists, illustrators, and photographers. The entries, some 7,670 in total, are arranged chronologically within each section, with the exception of the biographical section and some subsections dealing with collections and exhibitions. Articles as well as books are included. Appendixes ("Books on Colour" and "Organizations") and the mandatory title, subject, and name indexes conclude this monumental work. Relevant to research-level collections in the history of science, scientific illustration, and art, but too specialized for less erudite collections on tight budgets. -F. Blum, Eastern Michigan University