Drawing aided science, and science opened new horizons for drawing

The book "Scientists Who Draw" by Lee Dong-ju delves into the profound connection between art and science, showcasing individuals who seamlessly blended artistic talent with scientific inquiry. The author, himself a biologist who draws, guides readers through the lives of figures like Maria Sibylla Merian, Alexander von Humboldt, Mary Anning, and John James Audubon.

Merian, a still-life painter by training, became a renowned artist and scientist for works like "The Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname." Her detailed illustrations of insects and plants, capturing their life cycles and ecological interactions, were highly sought after by European nobility and institutions. Despite the era's restrictions on women's education, Merian's self-taught passion paved the way for future generations.

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Drawing helped science, and science propelled drawing to new horizons.

Alexander von Humboldt, considered the father of modern geography, meticulously documented the natural geography and ecology of South America and Central Asia. His groundbreaking "Essay on the Physical State of Plants" included a comprehensive illustration of Mount Chimborazo, depicting plant distribution and ecological information across different altitudes, thus pioneering the field of plant geography.

Mary Anning, who grew up in a small seaside village, discovered and collected fossils from coastal cliffs. In an era before the concept of fossils was widely understood, Anning scientifically documented and illustrated her finds, independently classifying ancient organisms. Her discovery of a plesiosaur skeleton and subsequent illustrations led to paleontological restorations that inspired literature and scientific works.

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Drawing is the optimal method for conveying a large amount of information at a glance.

The book also touches upon Charles Darwin's work, where illustrations by John Gould of finch beaks from the Galapagos Islands became iconic representations of Darwin's theory of evolution. Ernst Haeckel's intricate drawings of marine plankton, later published in "Art Forms in Nature," inspired artists. John James Audubon's life-sized, detailed illustrations of North American birds in "Birds of America" set a new standard for ornithological publications.

The narrative extends to include Korean figures like Shin Saimdang and Nam Gye-u, known for their depictions of plants and butterflies, respectively. The author shares his own experience, noting that while digital art is widespread, hand-drawn illustrations possess a unique, less rigid quality, reinforcing the enduring, organic link between scientific exploration and the art of drawing.

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Digital outputs are more uniform and rigid than hand-drawn ones.