Explore the beauty and diversity of the animal world through more than 300 captivating images from across time and from every corner of the globe
Animal: Exploring the Zoological World is a visually stunning and broad-ranging survey that explores and celebrates humankind's ongoing fascination with animals. Since our very first moments on Earth, we have been compelled to make images of the curious beasts around us - whether as sources of food, danger, wonder, power, scientific significance or companionship. This carefully curated selection of images, chosen by an international panel of experts, delves into our shared past to tell the story of animal life.
From the first cave paintings, extraordinary medieval bestiaries and exquisite scientific illustration, to iconic paintings, contemporary artworks and the incredible technological advancements that will shape our futures together, the huge range of works reflects the beauty and variety of animals themselves – including butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, frogs, tigers, dogs, jellyfish, spiders and elephants, to name a few.
Arranged in a curated and thought-provoking sequence, this engaging compilation includes iconic works by some of the great names in zoology, such as Conrad Gesner, Charles Darwin and John James Audubon, as well as celebrated artists and photographers, indigenous cultures and lesser-known figures who have made important contributions to the study and representation of animals throughout history.
Phaidon Editors
James Hanken is Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Biology at Harvard University. He is also the director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology and curator of herpetology. As well as acting as consultant editor on the book and contributing texts, Hanken wrote the introductory essay to the book.
Dr. Giovanni Aloi is an expert on the representation of animals in modern and contemporary art. He is a faculty member at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Editor in Chief of Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture (www.antennae.org.uk) and co-editor of the University of Minnesota Press series Art after Nature.
Ross Piper is a zoologist, entomologist and explorer. His work covers species discovery, how terrestrial arthropods live and science communication.
The works explore and celebrate humankind's ongoing fascination with animals. drawing on a range of cultures and traditions, and were selected by an international panel of zoologists, academics, art historians and curators, including:
James Hanken (consultant editor and contributing writer) is Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Biology at Harvard University. He is also the director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology and curator of herpetology. As well as acting as consultant editor on the book and contributing texts, Hanken wrote the introductory essay to the book.
Dr. Giovanni Aloi (advisor and contributing writer) is an expert on the representation of animals in modern and contemporary art. He is a faculty member at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Editor in Chief of Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture (www.antennae.org.uk) and co-editor of the University of Minnesota Press Art after Nature.
Ross Piper is a zoologist, entomologist and explorer. His work covers species discovery, how terrestrial arthropods live and science communication.
