Description
Book SynopsisHighlighting an enduring interest in natural history from the 16th century to the present, this book explores depictions of the natural world, from centuries-old manuscripts to contemporary artists' books. It examines the scientific pursuits in the 18th and 19th centuries that resulted in the collecting and cataloguing of the natural world.
Trade Review“A book in which science and art blissfully hold hands . . . [Its] wonderfully unruly heart . . . bolsters the notion that amateur field guides are living books . . . personal works, in the same way that Emily Dickinson’s poems are personal. . . . ‘Green Leaf’ is all about the joys of looking hard.”—Dana Jennings,
New York Times -- Dana Jennings * New York Times *
“Stunning . . . an astonishing array of works . . . showing us the ingenious ways artists observe and depict the natural world. The volume’s carefully orchestrated rhythm of images and words reveals Fairman’s fruitful collaboration with book designer Miko McGinty. Short texts, sprinkled throughout . . . offer lively commentary on the beautifully photographed plates.”—Brooke Hodge,
Artforum -- Brooke Hodge * Artforum *
‘The sheer beauty of some of the watercolours, prints and paper-cuts is astounding. They make me long to sit for days in the Yale library and leaf through the other pages. And the book is flawlessly produced, right down to the pocket at the back to tuck your own cuttings in, and ribbon markers in Farrow & Ball hues.’—Augusta Pownall,
The Spectator -- Augusta Pownall * The Spectator *
‘
Of Green Leaf, Bird and Flower is more like an album: whimsical, eclectic and full of surprises.’—Susan Owens,
World of Interiors -- Susan Owens * World of Interiors *
‘There’s something charmingly retro about this volume, which is deliberately designed to evoke an old-fashioned fieldwork book, complete with a pocket in the back for your own notes and specimens.’—Caroline Bugler,
V&A Magazine -- Caroline Bugler * V&A Magazine *
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Of Green Leaf, Bird, and Flower is a lavishly illustrated compilation of essays about the Yale Center for British Art. . . This beautiful tome. . . is a fine overview of a truly magnificent British obsession.’—Louise Fabiani,
TLS -- Louise Fabiani * TLS *
Shortlisted for the 2014 Authors' Club Book Prize -- Authors' Club Book Prize * Authors' Club *
“An example of exquisite bookmaking”—Sara Evans,
Art of the Times -- Sara Evans * Art of the Times *
“Elegantly designed . . . almost an artist’s book in itself . . . [and] an important contribution to the study of how artists see and depict nature through the medium of the book.”—Stephen J. Bury, Print Quarterly -- Stephen J. Bury * Print Quarterly *
