Natural History
CURATED COLLECTIONZoological and ornithological illustration sits alongside botanical plates in this collection, produced to document species observed on scientific voyages and expeditions from the eighteenth century onward. Engraving, later refined with hand colouring, was the standard method for recording specimens accurately before photography took over the task, and the plates were often published in expensive subscription volumes aimed at naturalists and collectors. John James Audubon's bird studies and Ernst Haeckel's later biological plates both belong to this tradition of combining scientific observation with careful draughtsmanship. Insects, shells, mammals and birds all appear across the collection.
About the Natural History collection
Natural History: 21,568 artworks catalogued so far, each downloadable or printable to order.
Zoological and ornithological illustration sits alongside botanical plates in this collection, produced to document species observed on scientific voyages and expeditions from the eighteenth century onward. Engraving, later refined with hand colouring, was the standard method for recording specimens accurately before photography took over the task, and the plates were often published in expensive subscription volumes aimed at naturalists and collectors. John James Audubon's bird studies and Ernst Haeckel's later biological plates both belong to this tradition of combining scientific observation with careful draughtsmanship. Insects, shells, mammals and birds all appear across the collection.
Other collections
Related collections, also curated by Archive Lane:
- Impressionist Masterpieces — 42,526 artworks
- Renaissance Treasures — 7,965 artworks
- Abstract Expressions — 6,235 artworks
- Landscapes & Nature — 58,249 artworks
- Botanical Illustrations — 18,504 artworks
Prints of these artworks
Prints of any artwork on this page are made to order at the production partner closest to you, starting from $21.99 including shipping, in Canvas, Rolled Canvas, Framed Canvas or Framed Print.
Sizes and framing
Sizes are listed in inches and centimetres, with up to 26 sizes available depending on the print type, from small desk pieces up to large statement pieces. A size that doesn't match this artwork's own proportions is centred and trimmed to fit, and each print type's page states exactly how much of the image that removes.
Framed Canvas and Framed Print orders are available in 8 frame colours (Black, White, Natural, Gold, Walnut, Silver, Dark Grey, Light Grey); Canvas and Rolled Canvas have no frame and no glass.
Frequently asked questions
- How many artworks are in Natural History?
- There are 21,568 public-domain artworks in the Natural History collection on Archive Lane.
- Can I download these as digital files?
- Yes, every artwork can be previewed for free and downloaded as the original high-resolution file with a one-off purchase or a membership.