Art Forms from the Abyss

These radiant images from the renowned 19th-century biologist and illustrator Ernst Haeckel, featuring marine microorganisms, will enthral fans of his previous collections and garner renewed attention for Haeckel's unparalleled artistry. From jewellery designers to scientists, graphic artists to naturalists, the range of people inspired by Ernst Haeckel's illustrations continues to grow. Following up on Prestel's books Art Forms in Nature and Art Forms from the Ocean, this new collection features startlingly beautiful images created by Haeckel for the report of the HMS Challenger expedition, which circumnavigated the world from 1872–76, discovering and cataloguing nearly 5,000 new species from the depths of Earth's oceans. Fullpage reproductions bring these organisms colourfully to life, drawing readers into a world at once hypnotic and highly ordered. Divided into three sections- Siphonophores, Medusae, and Radiolarians-these illustrations display Haeckel's remarkable artistic skill and understanding of the architecture of organic matter. The authors provide a brief history of the Challenger expedition, background on Haeckel's scientific and artistic accomplishments, as well as informative texts on each group of organisms. A guide to the natural world and an inspiration to artists of every stripe, this collection of Haeckel's work is a fitting tribute to a 19th century genius. AUTHOR: Peter Williams is Emeritus Professor at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Wales, where David Roberts is the Scientific and Technical Photographer and David Thomas is the Professor of Marine Biology. Dylan Evans is an environmental and fisheries consultant. 75 colour, 6 b/w

“"The book's introduction provides important context to help the reader appreciate the images on a level beyond the purely aesthetic. It covers the changing scientific climate that led to such an ambitious expedition, the understanding of ocean life at the time, Haeckel's career, and the role of his lithographers in coloring and completing his works. . . While the introduction focuses on history and science, the book is primarily a celebration of the visual, and highlights both the intriguing forms of the creatures and the delicate rendering of the illustrations. . . Haeckel's plates offer a perspective that modern imaging cannot. With their ability to guide our attention to specific details, the illustrations add an air of the fantastical, and encourage the viewer to consider both the science and the art of life in the ocean." -- Hakai Magazine”

Hopefully it will introduce a new generation of artists and designers to the forms found in the plankton. Overall it is wonderful book and the authors are to be commended for their efforts. November, 2015 'Book Review' Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.

Peter Williams is Emeritus Professor at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Wales. David Roberts is Scientific and Technical Photographer and David Thomas is Professor of Marine Biology. Dylan Evans is an environmental and fisheries consultant.

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