Since time immemorial, we have now been awed by the ornate patterns, metamorphosis, and migrations of butterflies and moths. Their uncanny life phases and spectrum of vibrant colours and textures—each as caterpillars and as grownup bugs—endlessly encourage marvel.
Butterfly: Exploring the World of Lepidoptera, a brand new e book forthcoming from Phaidon on October 1, celebrates these distinctive winged creatures all through artwork historical past and science. From portrayals in 4,000-year-old Egyptian artworks to pioneering entomological research throughout the Enlightenment to modern explorations, the quantity surveys our enduring fascination with the bugs.
To this point, scientists have documented about 20,000 species of butterflies on this planet, however there are doubtless extra. And within the order of Lepidoptera, which incorporates moths, estimates of the full variety of species vary from a staggering 180,000 to 265,000. The most important is named Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, with a wingspan that may attain as much as one foot. And in the case of moths, a equally sized wingspan may be discovered on a Southeast Asian species referred to as the Atlas Moth.
Artists have lengthy captured the likeness of butterflies in a spread of media as a approach to symbolically signify transformation, rebirth, magnificence, and purity. Greater than 250 entries fill Butterfly, together with sculptures, images, work, illustrations, textiles, and extra, which faucet into the myriad methods through which these marvelous bugs pollinate not solely our fragile ecosystems however our imaginations, too.
Pre-order your copy now within the Colossal Store.
