Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist,
evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor who spent his life
researching flora and fauna from the highest mountaintops to the deepest
ocean. A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin's theories of
evolution, he denounced religious dogma, authored philosophical
treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms
which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem
cell.
At the heart of Haeckel's colossal legacy was the motivation not only to
discover but also to explain. To do this, he created hundreds of
detailed drawings, watercolors, and sketches of his findings which he
published in successive volumes, including several marine organism
collections and the majestic Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in
Nature), which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel's entire life
project. Like a meticulous visual encyclopedia of living things,
Haeckel's work was as remarkable for its graphic precision and
meticulous shading as for its understanding of organic evolution. From
bats to the box jellyfish, lizards to lichen, and spider legs to sea
anemones, Haeckel emphasized the essential symmetries and order of
nature, and found biological beauty in even the most unlikely of
creatures.
In this book, we celebrate the scientific, artistic, and environmental
importance of Haeckel's work, with a collection of 300 of his finest
prints from several of his most important tomes, including Die
Radiolarien, Monographie der Medusen, Die Kalkschwämme, and Kunstformen
der Natur. At a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened by
human activities, the book is at once a visual masterwork, an underwater
exploration, and a vivid reminder of the precious variety of life.
About the series
TASCHEN is 40! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in
1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping
bookworms around the world curate their own library of art,
anthropology, and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. Today we celebrate
40 years of incredible books by staying true to our company credo. The
40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program--now
more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same
commitment to impeccable production.
