Natural Science and History Illustration

What is the significance of natural science / natural history illustration?

The scientific illustrations help break down the plant or object to understand what else is a part of it. This helps us understand the inner parts of that object. What makes this flower look this way? Why does it only bloom at this time? Questions like that can be better understood when we can dissect them. Knowing the history of any plant or object can show how it evolves over the years. At one point maybe a plant needed more water than it would today. By keeping track of how things evolve, we can continue to learn and grow from it. Both of these subjects help physical and visual science.

How can the process of visually depicting natural phenomena reveal patterns that can contribute to scientific discovery? Research modern examples of illustrators/artists contributing to the scientific field.

In da Vinci’s case, it helped with the mechanics of bird flight and the growth patterns of plants. For Durer, he showed examples of naturalistic studies, demonstrating attention to detail for form, texture, animals’ stance, and color. All of this information aids the scientific illustrations.

What are cabinets of curiosities? What is their significance to natural history?

Cabinets of curiosities are the collections of natural specimens and artifacts which were the precursors of museums. Having this documents, organizes, and preserves the specimens. Later we can look back and learn from these showcases. It is a part of the historical side and we can use the findings in future studies. Along with this, they were able to start visually showing the science to an audience that was interested in it.

Reflect on the video-- what did you take away from the poetic commentary and Berger's drawing?

We are drawing/illustrating not only to have the visual but also the emotion of making it. There is a reason behind creating something even if we don’t fully understand why. There is something deeper in the artwork that we can always take away from it. “Change is all we have to rely upon.”

Why is it important to question what we thought we knew about art, each other, and the world around us?

Everyone sees things differently. They have their views, perspectives, and beliefs. We can be struggling with something that we can’t necessarily see. With this, not everything is as it seems. I can view a piece of art and base what I think it means on my emotions. Someone else can look at that same piece and have an opposite view. Everyone is different and that is okay. This challenges us to see things differently and be more open to change.

What happens to artwork when it is reproduced?

I think it loses its magic. It isn’t original anymore and everyone can have a copy of it. Eventually, it turns from something that you could only see once in a lifetime to just another image that you pass by regularly.

How can the modern age change the ways we see centuries old artworks?

In the modern age, everything is electronic. Something that we used to only be able to see if we went to a museum, you can now lookup on Google. Because we live in this electronic age the views on everything are different. Nothing is the same now as artwork used to be seen. You don’t get the full emotion of the art from centuries ago. There is a certain rugged yet sophisticated style from centuries ago that I don’t think we see enough of today.