Nature in Art: A Celebration of 300 Years of Wildlife Paintings

This lavish feast for the eyes contains 139 illustrations, 110 in color, showcasing highlights from the collection of the International Centre for Wildlife Art, which opened in Gloucestershire, England, in 1988. Founder Trapnell here organizes the material by medium (watercolors, oils and pastels, prints and batik) and provides a brief introduction to each section. He profiles the artists--among them Thomas Bewick, Edward Lear, Robert Bateman and Margaret Mee--and analyzes each painting. Birds predominate in this elegantly produced volume, which also includes stunning reproductions of mammals, flowers, marine scenes and seascapes. ( July )