TASCHEN Seba. Cabinet of Natural Curiosities. 40th Ed.

Description

The Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time . Though scientists of his era often collected natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) was unrivalled in his passion. His amazing collection of animals, plants and insects from all around the world gained international fame during his lifetime. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned careful and often scenic illustrations of every specimen. With these meticulous drawings, he arranged for the publication of a four-volume catalog, covering the entire collection from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, birds, and butterflies, as well as now extinct creatures. This reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-colored original . The introduction supplies background information about the fascinating tradition of natural collections to which Seba's curiosities belonged. Review: Cute little book! - Super cute LITTLE book! Review: Interesting! - Just when you think you've seen it all, then there is an art book from the 1700's. Naturalists, scientists, artists who drew different types of shells and flowers (perhaps it is Seba's own work and not a collaboration). Beautiful painting of sea life, lizards and bats. Very different very interesting. Taschen has produced an expansive book of Albertus Seba's work, well worth the money. It is literally several books in one, quite heavy.