Before digital cameras made it easy to capture a rare bird, the tools of observation were pencils and brushes. Before Google Images, scientists and students turned first to the great works of scientific illustrations.
Members of the Case Western Reserve University community are invited to learn more about scientific illustrations during a 2019 Cleveland Humanities Festival event hosted by Kelvin Smith Library.
William Claspy, head of Kelvin Smith Library’s Special Collections and Archives, will give a talk titled “Exploration and Illustration in the Art of Nature” Thursday, March 21, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Kelvin Smith Library’s Dampeer Room (second floor).
Claspy will give a broad overview of scientific illustration from the 16th through the 19th centuries, featuring works from the library’s collections.
Examples of these items will be on hand to view in the Hatch Reading Room of Special Collections. A reception will follow.