Beautifully illustrated, visually striking books on science is a different way to enjoy science. This blog features books about science, nature and new discoveries at the time. You will also be interested in the story of a German naturalist painter who, through her vivid drawing and bold expedition, had discovered a scientific finding; and how world-famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci had turned to science for inspiration. Read on！
Bio art : altered realities / Myers, William
“Visually striking, authoritative survey of the crossover between art and biotechnology by an expert in the field. In an era of fast-paced technological progress and with the impact of humans on the environment increasing, the concept of “nature” itself seems called into question. Bio Art explores the work of “bio artists,” those who work with living organisms and life processes to address the possibilities and dangers posed by biotechnological advancement.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)
The where, the why, and the how : 75 artists illustrate wondrous mysteries of science / Volvovski, Jenny
“The book turns loose 75 of today’s artists onto life’s vast questions. The biggest (and smallest) mysteries of the natural world are explained in essays by real working scientists, which are then illustrated by artists given free rein to be as literal or as imaginative as they like. Featuring work by such contemporary luminaries as Lisa Congdon, Jen Corace, Neil Farber, Susie Ghahremani, Jeremyville, and many more.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)
The Oxford illustrated history of science
“The first-ever fully illustrated global history of science, from Aristotle to the atom bomb. Encompass the story of science in both the East and West from antiquity to the Enlightenment: from the ancient Mediterranean world to ancient China; from the exchanges between Islamic and Christian scholars in the Middle Ages to the Chinese invention of gunpowder, paper, and the printing press; from the Scientific Revolution Europe to the intellectual ferment.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)
The shadow drawing : how science taught Leonardo how to paint / Fiorani, Francesca
“Leonardo da Vinci has long been celebrated for his consummate genius. He was the painter who gave us the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, and the inventor who anticipated the advent of airplanes, hot air balloons, and other technological marvels. But what was the connection between Leonardo and science? Historians of Renaissance art have long supposed that Leonardo became increasingly interested in science and refocused his curiosity.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Picturing the Pacific : Joseph Banks and the shipboard artists of Cook and Flinders / Taylor, James
“Between the 1760s and the early 19th century, the pioneers who sailed from Europe to explore the Pacific brought back glimpses of this new world in the form of oil paintings, watercolours and drawing. It was Sir Joseph Banks, who popularised the placement of professional artists on British ships of exploration. They captured memorable images of exotic landscapes, beautiful flora and fauna, and indigenous peoples.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Chrysalis : Maria Sibylla Merian and the secrets of metamorphosis / Todd, Kim
“Before Darwin, before Audubon, there was Merian. An artist turned naturalist known for her botanical illustrations, she was born just sixteen years after Galileo proclaimed that the earth orbited the sun. But at the age of fifty she sailed from Europe to the New World on an expedition to study insect metamorphosis – a dangerous journey at that time, much less a woman. When she returned, she produced a book that secured her reputation.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
