View a selection of digital images in the Yale Center for British Art's online catalogue
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/orbis:10162238
Classification:
Three-Dimensional Artifacts
Notes:
Each cut-paper moth or butterfly is comprised of multiple sheets of contemporary printed maps (on paper), each layer of paper cut to resemble the outline of a named butterfly specimen, the multiple layers tied together at the thorax with a bookbinder's pamphlet stitch. The portions of maps selected to form each specimen include one or more references to the species type; e.g. the Camberwell Beauty is composed of a map showing a portion of Camberwell, and the High Brown Fritillary is composed of a brown-toned map. Each specimen is affixed with an entomological pin to the bottom of a black museum box.The interior of the box includes nine small hand-written labels, including one title label for the work, and eight labels naming each of the butterfly species: Camberwell Beauty, Nymphalis antiopa [female] (migrant from Europe); High Brown Fritillary, Argynnis adippe [male]; Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus [male]; Wood White, Leptidea sinapsis [female]; Lulworth Skipper, Thymelicus acteon [male]; Mountain Ringlet [male], Erebia epiphron; Comma, Polygonum c-album [male]; Dark Green Fritillary, Argynnis alglaja [female].The removable box lid includes a transparent glass top. The inside of the lid is inscribed: No. 1 "British Butterflies" museum box. T Bush 2004. The Yale Center for British Art copy is unique. Of green leaf, bird, and flower: artists' books and the natural world, p. 168
Exhibition History:
"Of Green Leaf, Bird, and Flower" : Artists' Books and the Natural World (Yale Center for British Art, May 15, 2014-August 10, 2014)
Subject Terms:
Artists' books -- Great Britain. | Butterflies in art. | Paper work -- Great Britain -- Specimens. | Women in natural history.
Form/Genre:
Artists' books -- Great Britain. | Cut-paper works.
