Remarkable natural history artworks by women artists from the last three centuries

Celebrating the work and lives of women artists spanning the last three centuries, this stunning collection showcases a selection of exquisite artworks from the unrivaled collections held in the Library of the Natural History Museum. It features specially selected artworks by women from the late 19th century onwards. Some were scientists, naturalists, and collectors, while others were the wives or daughters of scientists or were simply fascinated and enthused by the natural world. There are fine butterfly drawings by accomplished natural history illustrator Margaret Fountaine; vivid illustrations of Indian natural, cultural, and social history by Olivia Tonge; and detailed bird images by Elizabeth Gould, who married highly regarded ornithologist John Gould and produced more than 600 illustrations for her husband's publications. Featuring celebrated artworks and rarely-seen gems, this book serves up a visual feast of the never ending wonders of the natural world and the significant role that women have played in observing and documenting it.