A Fascination with Insects
Insects are an interesting topic. Some people love them, yet some people fear them and will do anything to get away from them. Even with this fear, insects have been used by societies all across the world since ancient times for art. Sometimes only taking inspiration from the shape or color of the creepy crawler, but sometimes using them in their art or even using them to create paint!
What Type of art is created/inspired by insects?
Throughout history art has been created in many different forms and insects have found their way into just about all of those forms. This includes various painting and drawing techniques, sculptures, glass blowing, metal work, pottery, and so much more.
The most popular insects to be used in art in some way are:
- Bees
- Beetles
- Butterflies
- Dragonflies
- Grasshoppers
This Tiffany & Co dragonfly pendant lamp was one of the company’s popular designs.
Maria Sibylla Merian
1647-1714
Who was Maria Sibylla Merian?
Maria Sibylla Merian was a Swiss naturalist who defied the traditional roles of women of her time and made a career out of studying, recording, and drawing the natural world. She illustrated the life cycles of 186 insect species.
Merian published her art work and observations in several books.
This is one of Merian’s paintings showing the life cycle of a butterfly.
Tristram Paul Hillier
1905-1983
Who was Tristram Paul Hillier?
Tristram Paul Hillier was an English surrealist painter known for his stunning landscapes, as well as his series of nature inspired paintings. He is referred to as one of the most accomplished and distinctive twentieth-century British artists. What makes him unique is his variety of subject matter; beautiful almost photo-like landscapes, then paintings that border on cubism, and his almost whimsical nature themed paintings featuring insects and snails.
April, Butterfly 1955
Moths from a series a posters that he published in a magazine.
If you enjoyed this glimpse into art featuring insects and would like to learn more, join us for Art Exploration on May 12th at 2pm and get to follow along with a fun art project inspired by insects.
If you want to know more about Insects in art, explore these fun titles.
Drawing Creepy Crawlies by Rebecca Clunes
