Glass Flowers: Marvels of Art and Science at Harvard

by Jennifer Brown, Scott E. Fulton, Donald H. Pfister

Stunning, all new photography illuminates the collection like never before Follows the successful book Sea Creatures in Glass: The Blaschka Marine Animals at Harvard, published in 2016 The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture welcome more than 300,000 visitors per year One of Harvard University's most famous treasures is the internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, the 'Glass Flowers'. From orchids to bananas, rhododendrons to lilies, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka created a stunning array of glass models of plants from around the world. Working exclusively for Harvard in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Blaschkas applied their artistic expertise and botanical knowledge to craft a meticulously portrayed collection for Harvard students, researchers and the public. Exquisite detail is captured in this dazzling new publication, featuring new photography of models that inspire wonder and blur the line between the real and man-made. The collection demonstrates the majesty of plants and the artistry and scientific acumen of this father and son team, and is the only one of its kind in the world.

Genres: Art

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2021

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Known officially as the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, most visitors simply refer to them as the Glass Flowers, and they are one of the “must see” sights on Harvard’s campus.

I first saw this marvel of art and science in 1998, while on campus as a conference attendee. In 2016, the collection gallery underwent a major renovation in which the original Victorian glass and wood cases were cleaned and restored; the delicate glass models received cleaning and conservation treatment; and the gallery was relit with new, improved lighting. I look forward to returning for another visit, some day.

But even without visiting, I can consult Jennifer Brown’s Glass Flowers: Marvels of Art and Science at Harvard. The book consists of three short essays on the history of the collection; on the science underpinning the artistry of the models; and the challenges inherent in conserving such a remarkable collection. The bulk of the book consists of exquisite photographs of selected models, executed by Natalja Kent, often with informative captions.

This collection of 4,300 glass models was made by the father and son team of Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939), two Czech glass artists who were commissioned to create this collection and did so over a span of 50 years. The Blaschkas were first known as model makers of invertebrates, and many 19th Century museums and private collectors ordered glass models of jellyfishes, sea anemones and other invertebrate animal bodies from them. These scientific models, like the Glass Flowers, were teaching tools. (In fact, on a local note, I visited a wonderful exhibit several years ago at the library of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia featuring the Blaschka invertebrates that were rediscovered in that museum’s collections.)

My favorite photograph in this book is probably the close-up of the Common goldstar model, made in 1892, in which powdered yellow pigment was dusted onto the flower, suggesting pollen grains, but all of the photographs are captivating. Highly recommended.

[Bodil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short introduction to the marvellous glass flowers at Harvard Museums of Science and Culture. However, although the text is short, there a great many lovely and superb photos of the flowers themselves. The perfect memory of a visit!