The Art of India: Images of Nature

A beautiful collection of Indian natural history drawings from the 18th to the 20th centuries

This book presents many of the beautiful images in the Library of Natural History Museum in London, from fine botanical and zoological illustrations through to depictions of colorful artifacts and trinkets purchased in local markets. The artworks originate from a variety of sources that include individual artists and collectors as well as organized studies of Indian natural history in the pursuit of science, commerce, and politics. Spanning a period of more than 200 years, from the 18th to the 20th centuries, they depict the rich variety of animals, birds, and insects to be found in India and the magnificent flora of the different regions. They were produced by European and Indian artists who worked to advance the understanding of Indian natural history by recording, describing, classifying, and naming the flora and fauna of the country.