the art and science of ernest

Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor who spent his life researching flora and fauna from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean. A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin’s theories of evolution, he denounced religious dogma, authored philosophical treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem cell.

At the heart of Haeckel’s colossal legacy was the motivation not only to discover but also to explain. To do this, he created hundreds of detailed drawings, watercolors, and sketches of his findings which he published in successive volumes, including several marine organism collections and the majestic Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature), which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel’s entire life project. Like a meticulous visual encyclopedia of living things, Haeckel’s work was as remarkable for its graphic precision and meticulous shading as for its understanding of organic evolution. From bats to the box jellyfish, lizards to lichen, and spider legs to sea anemones, Haeckel emphasized the essential symmetries and order of nature, and found biological beauty in even the most unlikely of creatures.

In this book, we celebrate the scientific, artistic, and environmental importance of Haeckel’s work, with a collection of 450 of his finest prints from several of his most important tomes, including Die Radiolarien, Monographie der Medusen, Die Kalkschwämme, and Kunstformen der Natur. At a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities, the book is at once a visual masterwork, an underwater exploration, and a vivid reminder of the precious variety of life.

Editorial Reviews

Review
„…a glorious, oversize volume collecting Haeckel’s artistic work.“ ― The Wall Street Journal

„This is a bible for those who love pattern.“ ― The Times

„…as energetic and colorful as Haeckel’s life. It’s scientific eye candy that feels as fresh as Haeckel’s groundbreaking biological art must have seemed more than a century ago.“ ― The Washington Post

„Through Haeckel’s steady hand everyone can grasp the beauty, the elegance – and sometimes the sadness – in all walks of life.“ ― smithsonianmag.com

„…a glorious book… his influence on art and the natural sciences remains profound, and his stunning artworks continue to stand the test of time.“ ― American Scientist

„The book’s prints and commentary shed new light on the prolific output of Ernst Haeckel and his impact on modern science and philosophy.“ ― vice.com

About the Author
Rainer Willmann holds a chair in zoology at Göttingen University, is director of its Zoological Museum, and is cofounder of its Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research. A specialist in phylogenetics and evolution, he conducts research into biodiversity and its history.

Julia Voss gained her doctorate with a thesis on visual representations of Darwinian evolution theory. Until 2017, she was head of the art department of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and deputy head of the features section. Voss is an honorary professor at Leuphana Universität LĂĽneburg, and her research focusses on the history of abstraction, restitution and provenance, and the connections between evolutionary theory and culture.