Post by Natural History Museum

Do you know who shaped our understanding of the natural world? 🤔 A new research-led project, explores the often-overlooked contributions of women to natural history illustration – and the scientific knowledge it enabled. Working across archival research and contemporary artistic practice, the project focuses on artists including Sarah Stone, Sarah Bowdich Lee and Elizabeth Gould. Their work was not simply decorative: their detailed drawings provided critical evidence for taxonomic classification and the communication of new species to both scientific and public audiences. In some cases, these illustrations are now the only surviving records of lost collections, highlighting their enduring scientific importance. Find out more in our latest science blog by Library Special Collections Manager, Andrea Hart 👉 https://brnw.ch/21x3L7U