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Cabinet of Curiosities
Dutch pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665–1736) devoted his life to collecting exotic plants and animals. His richly illustrated books document his cabinet of curiosities -- a precursor of the modern museum. He commissioned hand-colored illustrations to document his extensive collection of plants, animals, and other curiosities, including a squid.
His work served as a model for future books on collecting and classification, but it is also a landmark of artistry and design. |