Botanical illustration

Since prehistoric times artists have depicted plants on a wide range of surfaces. Discover which materials and techniques were used by artists to document the knowledge about the flora.

The exhibition features rare books from Darwin museum reserves, unique and printed graphic works, along with Environmental posters of mid 20th century. Furthermore, displayed you will also find botanical illustrations by contemporary artists.

Since ancient times people were passing knowledge about medical herbs, as well as of poisonous ones, creating detailed images to help the others recognize the plant. With time the drawings became more detailed and scientifically correct, and in the Middle Ages images were used not only in pharmacopoeia but as decoration of folios, acquiring Christian symbolism. Even after a method of drying plants with a press to preserve them as herbarium was invented in the 16th century, botanists tended to trust botanical illustration more.

Today botanical illustration has embraced its artistic potential, leaving the biological purpose behind. Besides providing a wonderful opportunity to admire ancient drawings and prints from rare manuscripts and books, the exhibition invites you to compare them to modern artworks.

Dolgov Ilya. Graphic series "Herbarium". 2012-2017. Acrylic, paper

Illustration for the book of Friedrich Justin Bertuch "Picturebook for Children. It contains a wonderful collection of animals, plants, flowers, fruits .. ". 1805

Goloubeva Irina. Brugmansia sanguinea. 2018. Ink, paper

Shypylenko A.K. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). 1971. Watercolor, paper

Illustration for the book by Georg Wolfgang Knorr "Universal collection of plants, representing flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs drawn from nature and hand-painted." 1789