Beyond the Visible--Microscopy, Nature, and Art

Abstract

ESSAY Advances in microscopy in the 19th century revealed a new world of tiny organisms, cells, and microbes that continues to inspire artists, architects, and the general public.

Crossing borders: the path of photomicrography towards artistic recognition

“…As for photomicrography, Sicard (2006) mentioned its qualities compared to scientific illustration in the nineteenth century and Frizot (1998), among others, alluded to the technical side of photomicrography in the history of photography. Gamwell (2003b, a) also wrote on the influence of microscopy in contemporary art with two brief but very insightful articles. Moreover, The Fruitbasket Gallery in Edinburg published a catalogue that accompanied an interesting exhibition of close-up images (Bradley, Ades and Baker 2009) and Kulper (2012) explored the aesthetics of photomicrographic images and discusses them as "two sides of the same epistemological coin" whilst Rob Kesseler authored and co-authored several books and articles, mostly regarding his artistic work in botanical photomicrography including in collaboration with scientists.…”