Botanica Magnifica images at Smithsonian Libraries

In his large-format images, photographer Jonathan Singer captures the essence of plant form, color, and texture, thereby enhancing the viewer’s appreciation of the complexity of the botanical world.  Collaborating with scientists in the Smithsonian’s Department of Botany, the large-format photographs focus on the Smithsonian’s living plant collections.  Each photo was taken with a high-resolution digital camera and printed on hand-made paper with special inks. Jonathan Singer donated the first set of this monumental five-volume work to the Smithsonian Institution’s Department of Botany and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Images from Botanica Magnifica will be on display in the Smithsonian Libraries exhibition case located in the National Museum of Natural History (10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC), ground floor lobby, through October 2008.

Since the Smithsonian’s copy of the “Botanica magnifica” is held in a research library behind the scenes, visitors who wish to see it are requested to call several days in advance to arrange an appointment: (202) 633-1184.