Amazing Rare Things

Amazing Rare Things examines the art and written observations of five European naturalist-artists from the Age of Discovery through the Enlightenment. David Attenborough explores the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Marshal, Maria Sibylla Merian, Mark Catesby and the paper museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo. The book presents full-color reproductions of drawings, paintings and prints depicting plants, animals and other natural specimens previously unknown to European science. These illustrations are paired with historical context about how each artist encountered and documented their subjects, from garden specimens to expeditions in distant lands. Each chapter focuses on one naturalist-artist's contribution to scientific and artistic knowledge, analyzing their techniques and methods while placing their work within the larger story of natural history documentation. The text draws extensively from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. The book illuminates the intersection of art and science during a pivotal period when empirical observation began to shape humanity's understanding of the natural world. Through these five pioneers' stories, it reveals how visual documentation advanced both scientific knowledge and artistic achievement.

Readers describe this as a niche art history book that combines natural history illustrations with biographical details of the featured artists. The text provides historical context while letting the artwork remain the focus. Likes: - High quality reproductions of rare botanical and zoological artwork - Clear explanations of the scientific and artistic significance - Attenborough's accessible writing style - Detailed background on lesser-known naturalist artists Dislikes: - Some found the biographical sections too brief - Price point considered high by many readers - Several noted the binding quality could be better - A few wanted more artwork examples included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (376 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (81 ratings) As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "The reproductions are stunning but I wished for more depth about each artist's techniques and methods." Multiple Amazon reviews praised how the book "brings these forgotten natural history pioneers back to life."

The Paper Garden by Molly Peacock Chronicles the life of Mary Delany, an 18th-century artist who created intricate botanical collages and pioneered scientific illustration techniques.

The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs by Tristan Gooley Presents methods for observing and interpreting natural phenomena through detailed illustrations and scientific explanations of flora, fauna, and weather patterns.

The Golden Age of Botanical Art by Martyn Rix Documents the history of botanical illustration from the Renaissance through the Victorian era with reproductions of significant works and their scientific context.

Art Forms in Nature by Ernst Haeckel Contains detailed biological drawings and lithographic prints of microscopic organisms, marine creatures, and natural patterns discovered during 19th-century scientific expeditions.

The Art of Nature by Judith Magee Examines the British Museum's collection of natural history illustrations from the Age of Discovery through profiles of artists and their contributions to scientific documentation.

🌿 David Attenborough co-authored this book with Susan Owens, Martin Clayton, and Rea Alexandratos to explore the art collections of the British Royal Library, focusing on natural history illustrations from the 15th-18th centuries. 🎨 The book features works by Leonardo da Vinci, including his groundbreaking botanical drawings and his famous illustration of a walking bear, demonstrating his keen observational skills of nature. 🦋 Maria Sibylla Merian, one of the featured artists, traveled to Surinam in 1699 at age 52 to study insects. She became the first person to document the metamorphosis of butterflies through detailed illustrations. 📚 The book's title comes from the practice of Renaissance collectors creating "cabinets of curiosities" - rooms filled with rare specimens, artworks, and natural wonders from around the world. 🖼️ Many of the illustrations featured in the book were originally created for wealthy patrons who would never see these exotic specimens in person, making these artworks the only way people could visualize creatures from distant lands.