An expansive and awe-inspiring visual survey celebrating the stunning beauty of butterflies and
moths across art history science and culture 'Tap[s] into the myriad ways in which these
marvelous bugs pollinate not only our fragile ecosystems but our imaginations too.' -
Colossal A BEST ART BOOK OF THE YEAR: Christian Science Monitor Butterflies have enchanted
people for thousands of years capturing human imagination for so long that they are deeply
entwined in our culture and history. Butterfly: Exploring the World of Lepidoptera delves into
this enduring love for butterflies moths and caterpillars taking readers on a journey across
continents and cultures to discover the endless ways artists and image-makers throughout
history from ancient Egypt over 4 000 years ago to the present day have been inspired by
these ethereal insects. Featuring more than 250 entries each represented with a gorgeous
large-scale image this expansive visual survey spans a wide range of styles and media
including paintings botanical illustrations sculptures nature photography children's books
textiles and jewelry. Cleverly paired to highlight thought-provoking contrasts and
similarities between them regardless of the time period the images showcase butterflies and
moths - from the blue morpho and monarch to the death's-head hawkmoth - in all stages of their
life cycles. The vibrant colors in Eric Carle's childhood classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar
complement the playfulness of a butterfly-filled collage by British Pop Artist Peter Blake
while the shape of the goddess Obsidian Butterfly carved into stone in fourteenth-century
Mexico matches perfectly that of a falling moth captured in a beautiful black and white
photograph by Japanese artist Chuji Yasui. Artists featured include: María Berrio Peter Blake
Lee Bontecou Alexander Calder Caroline Cheng Rebecca Coles Salvador Dalí Mat Collishaw
Jean Dubuffet M. C. Escher Gyoshu Hayami Sheila Hicks Damien Hirst Frida Kahlo René
Lalique Iela Mari Wardell Milan Berthe Morisot Maria van Oosterwijck Gabriel Orozco Man
Ray Yinka Shonibare and Vincent van Gogh among others Advisors include: Dr. Giovanni Aloi
Dr. David G. James Dr. Ivonne Garzón Orduña Professor Naomi Pierce Tamar van Riessen and
Nate Moss Additional texts by: Dr. Giovanni Aloi Sara Bader Matthew Biggs Anita Croy
Jennifer Elias Diane Fortenberry Carolyn Fry Catherine Ingram Rebecca Morrill Nate Moss
Tamar van Riessen Hannah Silver James Smith David Trigg and Martin Walters
