The Art of Science

The Art of Science presents the best of Museum Victoria’s remarkable collection of natural history artworks. The book opens with the ‘paper museums’ of the seventeenth and eighteenth century, stunning collections of the bizarre and fabulous, each one exquisitely depicted. It presents the valiant artistic efforts of Europeans to ‘see’ Australia’s extraordinary fauna, and celebrates the golden age of natural history illustration dominated by Audubon and Gould, those giants of avian illustration. In the contemporary museum, art and science still work hand in glove, from the palaeo-artistry of Peter Trusler to the amazing microscopic world revealed by new imaging technology. The Art of Science is a unique collection of exquisite images that will enrich our understanding of the history of art and science, the natural world, and the miracle of human perception.

About the Author

John Kean is independent producer, curator, and writer. He is an Honorary Associate of the Museum Victoria, where he was a producer for fifteen years. John was the Thomas Ramsay Science and Humanities Fellow 2004 at the Museum, Exhibition Co-coordinator (Fremantle Arts Centre 1993–95), Inaugural Exhibition Co-coordinator (Tandanya: the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, 1989–92), and Art Advisor (Papunya Tula Artist Pty Ltd, 1977–79). He has recently curated exhibitions that bridge art, science, and the community. He is currently curating Crepuscular: The Wild Animals of Melbourne for the City of Melbourne, and a travelling exhibition, Eyeline: The Art of Science for Melbourne Museum. He has published extensively on Indigenous art and on the representation of nature in Australian museums.