This event is part of the 2019 Cleveland Humanities Festival: Nature.

Before digital cameras made it easy to capture a rare bird, the tools of observation were pencils and brushes; before Google Images, scientists and students turned first to the great works of scientific illustrations. William Claspy, Head of Kelvin Smith Library’s Special Collections and Archives, will give a broad overview of scientific illustration from the 16th through the 19th centuries, featuring works from the library’s collections. Examples of these items will be on hand to view in the Hatch Reading Room of Special Collections. Reception to follow.

This event is sponsored by Case Western Reserve University’s Kelvin Smith Library.