Art Forms in Nature: The Prints of Ernst Haeckel

By Olaf Breidbach

An exquisite volume featuring impeccably reproduced prints by the pioneering biologist and artist whose studies of nature shaped Art Nouveau's visual language.

"Art Forms in Nature is a library of possibilities." - CoolTools

Originally published in ten installments between 1899 and 1904, Ernst Haeckel's 100 plates have become enduring icons of natural history and design. This edition brings together the original series in its entirety, preserving its fine lines, subtle tonal variations, and luminous color.

Minute radiolarians, diatoms, and jellyfish appear alongside corals, orchids, moths, hummingbirds, and antelopes, are all rendered with extraordinary delicacy. Haeckel organized these organisms according to geometric and "constructive" principles, drawing attention to recurring symmetries and structures across species and scales.

The resulting compositions give visual expression to his belief in the "unity of all living things," presenting the immense variety of the natural world as part of an interconnected whole. Scientists have admired the images for their precision, while artists and designers have embraced their organic geometries as a source of inspiration.

An expanded edition of the classic Art Forms in Nature in a compact package.Over 100 fascinating illustrations, beautifully reproduced at full-page scale.Examines the ideas behind Haeckel's work and traces its huge cultural impact.A source of inspiration for artists, architects, designers and scientists alike.Sumptuously designed and printed to bring Haeckel's studies to life.
Sublime plates and incisive commentary bring Haeckel's vision into focus, revealing why his art captivates anyone fascinated by the beauty and structure of life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3819500677
• ISBN13: 9783819500671
• Release Date: March 2027
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages