Drawing on the collections of the McClung Museum, the University of Tennessee Library’s Special Collections, as well as private collections, this exhibit explores the fascinating intersection of art and science in the tradition of natural history illustration. From 16th century imaginings of fantastical beasts, to the extremely accurate 19th illustrations of plants and animals, the works on view highlight how increasing access to travel, technology, and books, as well as the evolution of the field of science, changed how these artful illustrations were created and interpreted.
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- Banded Watersnake and Pine Lily, Plate T58, 1736, Mark Catesby (English, 1682–1749), From The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, Volume II, London, Hand-colored copperplate engraving, Gift of Peter DeSorcy, 2007.5.18.
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- Study of a tulip, two crocus, and two beetles, c. 1690 Maria Sibylla Merian, Black lead, pen and black ink, watercolor and bodycolor with gilt framing lines on vellum, Arader Galleries.
Curated by Catherine Shteynberg and Christine Dano Johnson. Thanks to lenders Arader Galleries, Dr. Gordon M. Burghardt, the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and UT Special Collections Library. The exhibit is presented by Arader Galleries, W. Graham Arader III, and UT Federal Credit Union. Additional support provided by Knox County, the City of Knoxville and the Arts & Heritage Fund.