'Butterfly' Explores 4,000 Years of Our Fascination with Lepidoptera in Art and Science

"Since time immemorial, we have been awed by the ornate patterns, metamorphosis, and migrations of butterflies and moths. Their uncanny life stages and spectrum of vibrant colors and textures-both as caterpillars and as adult insects-endlessly inspire wonder. Butterfly: Exploring the World of Lepidoptera, a new book forthcoming from Phaidon on October 1, celebrates these distinctive winged creatures throughout art history and science. From portrayals in 4,000-year-old Egyptian artworks to pioneering entomological studies during the Enlightenment to contemporary explorations, the volume surveys our enduring fascination with the insects."

"So far, scientists have documented about 20,000 species of butterflies in the world, but there are likely more. And in the order of Lepidoptera, which includes moths, estimates of the total number of species range from a staggering 180,000 to 265,000. The largest is known as Queen Alexandra's Birdwing, with a wingspan that can reach up to one foot. And when it comes to moths, a similarly sized wingspan can be found on a Southeast Asian species known as the Atlas Moth."

"Artists have long captured the likeness of butterflies in a range of media as a way to symbolically represent transformation, rebirth, beauty, and purity. More than 250 entries fill Butterfly, including sculptures, photography, paintings, illustrations, textiles, and more, which tap into the myriad ways in which these marvelous bugs pollinate not only our fragile ecosystems but our imaginations, too."

Butterflies and moths exhibit ornate patterns, metamorphosis, and migrations that captivate observers. Their life stages and spectrum of vibrant colors and textures appear in both caterpillar and adult forms. Scientists have documented about 20,000 butterfly species, while Lepidoptera estimates range from roughly 180,000 to 265,000 species. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing can reach up to a one-foot wingspan, and some moths, such as the Atlas Moth, achieve similar sizes. Artistic representations span sculpture, photography, painting, illustration, textiles, and more, using butterflies to symbolize transformation, rebirth, beauty, and purity. Collections tracing portrayals from ancient Egyptian art through Enlightenment studies to contemporary work emphasize enduring human fascination and ecological significance.

Read at Colossal