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Botanica Magnifica: Portraits of the World's Most Extraordinary Flowers and Plants
Botanica Magnifica features two hundred and fifty stunning photographs by HasselbladLaureate Award winner Jonathan Singer, representingGÇöin the words of an ARTnewscriticGÇörare or exotic plants and flowers GÇ£in large scale and exquisite detail, emergingfrom the shadows in a manner evocative of Old Master paintings.GÇ¥
The original edition of Botanica Magnifica, consisting of five lavishly hand-boundvolumes, was limited to just ten copies, the first of which was recently donated to theSmithsonian Institution. The extra-large GÇ£double-elephantGÇ¥ format of that editionwas chosen in homage to the famous double-elephant folio of The Birds of America,and indeed, Botanica Magnifica is one of the few works of natural history ever to rivalAudubonGÇÖs magnum opus in its scope and artistry. In praise of the double-elephant folioof Botanica Magnifica, the SmithsonianGÇÖs Chairman of Botany attested, GÇ£Everyone whohas seen the photographs . . . has been tremendously impressed with the power, scale,and depth of the work.GÇ¥
Now SingerGÇÖs remarkable images are available to the public for the first time in thisbaby-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica. Like the larger edition, this volume is organizedinto five alphabetically arranged sections, each introduced by a gatefold page thatdisplays one extraordinary plant at a luxurious size. Each pictured plant is accompaniedby a clear and accessible description of its botany, geography, folklore, history, and conservation.
This volume is also available in a leatherbound, slipcased edition. With its marvelousreproductions and fascinating text, the baby-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica isone of the most impressive volumes of natural history ever published.
The original edition of Botanica Magnifica, consisting of five lavishly hand-boundvolumes, was limited to just ten copies, the first of which was recently donated to theSmithsonian Institution. The extra-large GÇ£double-elephantGÇ¥ format of that editionwas chosen in homage to the famous double-elephant folio of The Birds of America,and indeed, Botanica Magnifica is one of the few works of natural history ever to rivalAudubonGÇÖs magnum opus in its scope and artistry. In praise of the double-elephant folioof Botanica Magnifica, the SmithsonianGÇÖs Chairman of Botany attested, GÇ£Everyone whohas seen the photographs . . . has been tremendously impressed with the power, scale,and depth of the work.GÇ¥
Now SingerGÇÖs remarkable images are available to the public for the first time in thisbaby-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica. Like the larger edition, this volume is organizedinto five alphabetically arranged sections, each introduced by a gatefold page thatdisplays one extraordinary plant at a luxurious size. Each pictured plant is accompaniedby a clear and accessible description of its botany, geography, folklore, history, and conservation.
This volume is also available in a leatherbound, slipcased edition. With its marvelousreproductions and fascinating text, the baby-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica isone of the most impressive volumes of natural history ever published.
- GenresNonfiction
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 8, 2021
The Tiny Folio edition of this book is probably not the best size to show off the beauty of the plants, especially when the entire plant is represented. These are not subtle photographs with rounded bokeh and misty focus falling off the page. The black background and at times harsh flash light show off all the details of leaves, root system and flowers. The composition vary little with the plant or flower central and filling up the page. Sometimes the flower has a short stem or not stem at all, as if it is floating in darkness, making for a rather odd composition.
Each section is introduced by a scientist and puts the content into perspective as to the importance or rarity of the species represented.
I would not call this photographic collection fine art, and, for me, they certainly don't 'evoke the paintings of great Dutch masters' as one reviewer writes. But as a compendium of rare and endangered species, the book is certainly of interest.
Each section is introduced by a scientist and puts the content into perspective as to the importance or rarity of the species represented.
I would not call this photographic collection fine art, and, for me, they certainly don't 'evoke the paintings of great Dutch masters' as one reviewer writes. But as a compendium of rare and endangered species, the book is certainly of interest.
March 12, 2026
The photography was gorgeous, but the accompanying text did little for me.
October 17, 2015
Beautiful photography. I use the book with my preschool children as a visual resource. The photos are clear and vibrant, and the large format and close-up photography style allows my students to really focus in on details.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews