Art Forms From The Ocean: The Radiolarian Atlas Of 1862 [Paperback]

Ernst Haeckel (Author), Olaf Breidbach (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2005

At the nexus of art and science, this dazzling new edition of Ernst Haeckel's first work reintroduces the genius of an enigmatic scientist and passionate observer of the natural world. Although original editions of this book are extremely rare, it is now available for the first time in a paperback edition, beautifully reproducing his drawings and watercolours. While the variety and detail of Haeckel's drawings display an impressive understanding of biological structure, the skill with which Haeckel drew these tiny, aquatic protozoa renders them genuine works of art. This volume features commentary and descriptions of each of the radiolarians from Haeckel's work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable array of the artist’s exquisitely detailed representations of microscopic aquatic life. Compellingly seductive." -- Art Times, July 2005

"These otherwordly organisms are beautifully reproduced here, making this volume a work of natural history and a work of art." -- Northeastern Naturalist, December 2006

About the Author

Olaf Breidbach is the head of the Ernst Haeckel Haus in Jena, Germany, which is also the Institute for the History of Natural Science.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Pub; First Edition edition (May 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791333275
• ISBN-13: 978-3791333274
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Marine Life
  • #3 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Marine Biology
  • #25 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and Little Known Organisms Illustrated, March 23, 2006

By 

David B Richman (Mesilla Park, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Art Forms From The Ocean: The Radiolarian Atlas Of 1862 (Paperback)

Radiolarians are a total blank to the majority of people, yet these remarkable builders of glass houses (microscopic to be sure) abound in the world's oceans. Ernst Haeckel, the Nineteenth Century German biologist and supporter of Darwin, wrote the most comprehensive monograph on the group in his Radiolarian Atlas of 1862, which is still in use today. The illustrations have never been surpassed and so it is certainly a boon for microscopists that the plates have now been republished in all their glory as "Art Forms from the Ocean: The Radiolarian Atlas of 1862". In many ways I wish that the text would have included descriptions of the radiolarians illustrated and their distributions, but that probably would have been of little interest to the general public. Instead there is a discussion of Haeckel's life and work, especially of his involvement with radiolarians and other microscopic marine life.

Still, for the price this is a real bargain, and I thus recommend this book just for the plates to any amateur or professional biologist who is interested in the micro planktonic organisms of the ocean.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars natural forms in nature are a source of inspiration to me in my art., October 9, 2008

By 

Art Enthusiast "Art" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art Forms From The Ocean: The Radiolarian Atlas Of 1862 (Paperback)

As an artist I am always trying to enlarge my "visual vocabulary." The symmetry and unlimited variation in sea forms are exquisite in their perfection. This volume has beautiful illustrations.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Artists Paradise, April 16, 2009

By 

Tanya M. Peters (Perth, WA, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Art Forms From The Ocean: The Radiolarian Atlas Of 1862 (Paperback)

This is the second book I have purcahsed by Ernst and I am not disappointed. Being a sculptural artist, this is being used as a reference book for me. Only nature could create such stunning objects and only a very talented artist, could recreate this for us all to enjoy. A valued book in my art collection.