Garden of Eden: Masterpieces of Botanical Book Illustration: Amazon.co.uk: Walter H. Lack: 9783822815212: Books

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Synopsis

This survey of 483 fine color plates from outstanding works of botanical illustration from the 6th-20th centuries, paralleling a concurrent exhibit at the Austrian National Library in Vienna, indeed evokes the Garden of Eden. Lack (Free U. of Berlin), director of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, provides a trilingual German-En

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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect visions, 23 July 2002

By

K. Barton (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Garden of Eden: Masterpieces of Botanical Book Illustration (Paperback)

An absolutely stunning, lavishly illustrated selection of botanical illustrations - Taschen at their best.

The illustrations are from the collection at the Austrian National Library and are consequently accompanied by brief historical and technical notes in German, English and French. The notes themselves can be a tad impenetrable at times but do contain considerable historical information for the determined reader.
A concise introduction discusses the art and science of botanical illustration, the process of reproducing illustrations and the role and history of the Austrian National Library.

Even more memorable however are the 483 Coloured plates covering a whole range of plants and styles from the Byzantine period through the 'golden age' (mid 18th to 19th centuries) and on to a few present-day examples. The colours and details are beautifully reproduced in satisfying quarter to full-page sizes - no irritatingly minute monochrome efforts these, but full-on glorious technicolour.

Dozens of illustrators can be found within this brick of a tome. The 'greats' like Basilius Besler are well represented, but it is even more exciting to come across the startling skill and beauty of the work of lesser-known artists in the collection. The coverage of each artist is variable - a single outstanding image for some, for others a small gallery of milestone examples. All styles and techniques can be seen, from minutely detailed sepia-tints of skeletal leaves and root structures, to vivid watercolour Amaryllis and florid Rose.

At the back of the book can be found the bibliography and index. The comprehensive index system covers the items by Artist, Location, Plant AND original 'title' of each piece.

But all of the detail aside, this just is one of those books you pick up, flick through and fall instantly and utterly in love with. If you enjoy plants, admire illustration or are even, in fact, an actual botanist, I dare you to see this and resist the urge to take it home.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Garden of Earthly Delights., 5 Feb 2010

By

E. Wilson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Garden of Eden: 100 Masterpieces of Botanical Illustration (25th Anniversary Special Edtn) (Hardcover)

The Garden of Eden is indeed a book packed full of earthly delights, rich in detailed descriptions - though not overly so - of the gifted botanical illustrators whose work has been so diligently portrayed for us; rich in their beautiful drawings and paintings of the plants which bedeck our wonderful planet. This is a book over which one can pour endlessly, each turn of the page reveals yet another treasure beautifully reproduced in vibrant colour.

Well worth the price and sure to provide years of pleasure.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning., 23 Oct 2011

By

laura redburn (wales) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garden of Eden: 100 Masterpieces of Botanical Illustration (25th Anniversary Special Edtn) (Hardcover)

I don't really know what to say other than this book is pretty much perfect.

It's HUGE but it's definitely worth it! I'd happily pay double the price for this. The images are very well (re)produced and placed, the colours are fantastic and the information provided is very useful. Even if you didn't ever read anything in this book, it's worth it for the images alone! Would be perfect to scan some images and have them as beautiful botanical prints in your home.

I don't think there's a single thing I would change about it. Bravo!

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