Dutch scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian was known for her extremely detailed drawings of wildlife. She initially drew specimens sent back from the Americas, but would later travel to South America to observe various species in the wild. Seen here: a caiman and a false coral snake.
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) —
Dutch scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian was known for her extremely detailed drawings of wildlife. She initially drew specimens sent back from the Americas, but would later travel to South America to observe various species in the wild. Seen here: a caiman and a false coral snake.
The Trustees of the British Museum
After the death of her husband, Olivia Tonge traveled throughout Asia, all the while drawing what she saw. While shortsightedness kept her from doing landscapes justice, she had a penchant for capturing the little things -- like these animals and jewels she saw in India.
Olivia Tonge (1858-1949) —
After the death of her husband, Olivia Tonge traveled throughout Asia, all the while drawing what she saw. While shortsightedness kept her from doing landscapes justice, she had a penchant for capturing the little things -- like these animals and jewels she saw in India.
Courtesy The Natural History Museum
Henry Oldfield, a British surgeon, traveled to Asia as part of the Indian Army Medical Service in 1846, and was dispatched to Kathmandu, Nepal. Here he captures both the eye-catching architecture and quotidian life outside the Dhunsar court of law in Kathmandu.
Henry Oldfield (1822-1871) —
Henry Oldfield, a British surgeon, traveled to Asia as part of the Indian Army Medical Service in 1846, and was dispatched to Kathmandu, Nepal. Here he captures both the eye-catching architecture and quotidian life outside the Dhunsar court of law in Kathmandu.
Courtesy The British Library Board
William Burchell spent 120 hours over four days painting this watercolor of the wagon he used to travel throughout Africa in 1820. The wagon acted as a moving storage unit, laboratory and home for the ecologist.
William Burchell (1781-1863) —
William Burchell spent 120 hours over four days painting this watercolor of the wagon he used to travel throughout Africa in 1820. The wagon acted as a moving storage unit, laboratory and home for the ecologist.
Courtesy Oxford University Museum of Natural History
British archeologist Adela Breton painstakingly painted various ruins in Mexico, including these Mitla, Oaxaca. Created long before the advent of color photography, her paintings are some of the only records of the specific color elements of these sites, which have since faded away.
Adela Breton (1849-1923) —
British archeologist Adela Breton painstakingly painted various ruins in Mexico, including these Mitla, Oaxaca. Created long before the advent of color photography, her paintings are some of the only records of the specific color elements of these sites, which have since faded away.
Dan Brown/ Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
John White, an early colonist of the so-called New World, depicted North America's east coast, including major coastal features and various aquatic species.
John White (c.1540-1593) —
John White, an early colonist of the so-called New World, depicted North America's east coast, including major coastal features and various aquatic species.
Courtesy The Natural History Museum, London
Canadian-British geologist John Auldjo published his 1831 lithographs of Mount Vesuvius with vivid accounts of his experiences there. "My own face was scorched, my lips much swollen, and my eyes inflamed; but this was the sole inconvenience I experienced," he wrote.
John Auldjo (1805-1886) —
Canadian-British geologist John Auldjo published his 1831 lithographs of Mount Vesuvius with vivid accounts of his experiences there. "My own face was scorched, my lips much swollen, and my eyes inflamed; but this was the sole inconvenience I experienced," he wrote.
Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Prince Maximilian De Wied of Germany sketched this shrunken head during an expedition to Brazil that lasted from 1815 and 1817. During that trip, he collected and cataloged thousands of specimens.
Maximilian De Wied (1782-1867) —
Prince Maximilian De Wied of Germany sketched this shrunken head during an expedition to Brazil that lasted from 1815 and 1817. During that trip, he collected and cataloged thousands of specimens.
Courtesy akg-images
John James Audubon has been called one of America's most significant nature artists. "Birds of America," his most famous work, is still considered one of the important books on the subject today. It features 1,065 birds.
John James Audubon (1785-1851) —
John James Audubon has been called one of America's most significant nature artists. "Birds of America," his most famous work, is still considered one of the important books on the subject today. It features 1,065 birds.
Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Dutch pastor Jan Brandes was also a talented artist and scholar, painting and drawing wildlife and plants, as well as portraits, architecture, and scenes from his everyday life.
Jan Brandes (1743-1808) —
Dutch pastor Jan Brandes was also a talented artist and scholar, painting and drawing wildlife and plants, as well as portraits, architecture, and scenes from his everyday life.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FExplorers-Sketchbooks-Art-Discovery-Adventure%2Fdp%2F050025219X%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1481798477%26sr%3D1-1%26keywords%3Dexplorers%2Bsketchbooks" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Explorers' Sketchbooks: The Art of Discovery & Adventure"</a> by Huw Lewis-Jones and Kari Herbert, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.
"Explorers' Sketchbooks: The Art of Discovery & Adventure" by Huw Lewis-Jones and Kari Herbert, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.
Courtesy Thames & Hudson