John Abbot
Birds, Butterflies and Other Wonders
Pamela Gilbert
John Abbot (1751-1840) was an extremely important naturalist painter whose intricately detailed and vibrantly coloured studies of fauna and flora were sought after by the artistic and scientific communities. Abbot spent most of his life in Virginia and Georgia, USA, collecting and painting previously unknown species for clients in Britain, continental Europe and America. His works were essential to the European understanding of early entomology in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In addition to his essential biological observations and annotations, aficionados recognized early the artistic skill of Abbot's renderings, and his work became an indispensable influence to natural history artists. These fascinating watercolours, now part of the collection of the Natural History Museum in London, have rarely been seen in colour and are being published here as part of the Museum's Art Series.
Published by Merrell Publishers in collaboration with the Natural History Museum.
Key features
- First fully illustrated treatment of Abbot's work
- Scientifically and artistically significant artworks
- Art rarely seen in colour, beautifully reproduced
Contents
Preface; Acknowledgements; John Abbot and his World - 'A Peculiar Liking for Insects'; The Practicalities - 'Masterpieces of Entomological Portraiture'; Known Locations of Abbot Original Watercolours and Specimens; Transcription of Manuscript 'Notes on my Life'; Bibliography; List of Colour Plates with Biological Notes; Index.
About the author
Pamela Gilbert, OBE, was formerly Entomology Librarian and the Deputy Head of Library Services at The Natural History Museum, London and Chair of the Literature Board of the European Lepidoptera Society.
About the series
The artistically superb and scientifically important natural history paintings by pioneer artists in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries have, until now, resided in the relative obscurity of the archives of the Natural History Museum, London, almost entirely unseen by the public since their creation. This ground-breaking series on the art of nature reintroduces these essential artists to both the artistic and scientific communities, bringing to light new scholarship by leading authors, re-examining the art, historical significance and contribution to scientific knowledge of these superb artists. Each is treated individually in their own exquisitely designed and illustrated volume. The Art Series is fundamental reading for natural historians, scientists, lovers of botanical and natural history illustrations and all those interested in the development of our understanding of the natural world.
 Back to the top
|
Ordering information
Individuals and trade customers order from: Merrell Publishers
Specifications
ISBN: 1 85894 064 8
Price: £29.95
Format: Hardback
Size: 290 x 230 mm
Extent: 128 pp, 60 full colour illustrations
Published: October 1998
Subject classification: Art history; natural history art
|
