Capturing Nature

A landmark visual exploration of nature printing, featuring 45 different techniques and hundreds of astonishing rare images. Hailed as the earliest precursor to photography, nature printing is the practice of using impressions from the surface of a natural object such as leaves, flowering plants, ferns, seaweed, snakes, and more to produce an image. Author Matthew Zucker has spent decades curating the most extensive collection of nature prints ever assembled, with more than 13,000 images across 120 rare and seminal works, including journals, published books, unique manuscripts, American currency, and instructional texts related to nature printing from 1733 to 1902. This gorgeous volume explores Zucker's collection, allowing readers to see these nature prints presented side by side for the first time and enabling unique comparisons while creating a visually stunning journey through the developments over a 150-year period in printing methods, including photography with examples of cyanotypes. The ultimate guide to nature printing, this is a beautiful reference work for scholars, artists, designers, botanists, and anyone interested in nature, botanical illustration, and printing. BASED ON AN UNPRECEDENTED PRINT COLLECTION: This book's stunning visuals are selections from the most extensive collection of nature prints ever assembled, comprised of more than 13,000 images. Prints from India, England, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, and France, among other nations, are included. FASCINATING MODERN TAKE ON ANCIENT ART FORM: Nature printing appeals to everyone from botanists and bibliophiles to graphic designers and tattoo artists. FIRST NEW BOOK ON THIS TOPIC IN 13 YEARS: Rarely gathered in single volumes, nature printing was last explored in the beautiful volume Impressions of Nature that featured 200 illustrations. The Zucker Collection now brings a wealth of additional images to the public. GORGEOUS GIFTABLE EDITION: For artists, art lovers, nature enthusiasts, fans of botany, gardening, and home décor, this beautiful coffee table book holds a fascinating blend of educational and inspirational content. Perfect for: Nature printing practitioners, fine artists, botanical illustration professionals, nature enthusiasts, garden and landscape designers, and home décor aficionados Adult coloring and Zentangle enthusiasts, as well as artists learning to draw and sketch, seeking inspiration from natural shapes and design Curators of book collections for bookstores, museum shops, libraries, gardening centers, luxury home design centers, and more