Art Forms from the Abyss Format: Paperback

These radiant images from the renowned 19th-century biologist and illustrator Ernst Haeckel, featuring marine microorganisms, will enthrall fans of his previous collections and garner renewed attention for Haeckel’s unparalleled artistry. From jewelry designers to scientists, graphic artists to naturalists, the range of people inspired by Ernst Haeckel’s illustrations continues to grow. Following up on Prestel’s books Art Forms in Nature and Art Forms from the Ocean, this new collection features startlingly beautiful images created by Haeckel for the report of the HMS Challenger expedition, which circumnavigated the world from 1872–76, discoveringand cataloging nearly 5,000 new species from the depths ofEarth’s oceans. Full-page reproductions bring these organismscolorfully to life, drawing readers into a world at oncehypnotic and highly ordered. Divided into three sections―Siphonophores, Medusae, and Radiolarians―these illustrationsdisplay Haeckel’s remarkable artistic skill and understanding ofthe architecture of organic matter. The authors provide a briefhistory of the Challenger expedition, background on Haeckel’sscientific and artistic accomplishments, as well as informativetexts on each group of organisms. A guide to the natural worldand an inspiration to artists of every stripe, this collection ofHaeckel’s work is a fitting tribute to a 19th-century genius.