Sponge; Hexactinellae

Artist or Author: Ernst Haeckel

Work: Kunstformen der Natur.

Date of Publication: 1899-1904

Style: Lithograph

Paper Size: ~ 10 3/4 by 14 1/4

Condition: The work is in overall very good to excellent condition overall. There may be some faint toning or light fox marks.There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work: This exceptional color lithograph is from Ernst Haeckel's work Kunstformen der Natur or Art Forms in Nature. The work was published in Leipzig and Vienna by Verlag des Bibliographischen Instituts in 1904. It featured illustrations of radiolarians, sea anemones, siphonophorae, semaeostomeae, and other sea creatures.

Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), known as the "Darwin of Germany" was an author, artist, physician, biologist, and nature philosopher. Haeckel discovered radiolarian, a type of amoeboid protozoa that produces intricate mineral skeletons found as plankton throughout the ocean. He also originated the terms "phylum" and "ecology."

Kunstformen der Natur is his most famous illustrated work. It bridged the gap between science and art inspiring numerous artists at the turn of the 20th century especially those associated with Art Nouveau.