To continue with another biological birthday, today would have been Ernst Haeckel’s 182nd celebration. Haeckel is undoubtedly one of the most talented and influential illustrators in the history of biology, and produced beautiful images for many zoological and botanical works of great importance including ‘The Art Forms of Nature’. This drawing, of the Peromedusae (jellyfish) demonstrates his artistic flair and his great eye for the arrangement of composite figures, his attention to detail and the intricacy and love he put into his work. He drew everything from embryos to lilies, and many of his images are still considered the best ever produced.

Happy birthday Ernst Haeckel!

To have a look through some more of Haeckel’s work, see here and here.