Our new gallery of natural history images has just opened






Zoological drawings, including this ruffed lemur, from the
19th-century Chinese Reeves Collection feature in the Images of Nature
gallery's first temporary exhibition.




Come and discover some of the most
beautiful, historic artworks and modern images of nature held by the
Museum in our newly renovated gallery.Experience how artists and
scientists see the world in this important visual record of over 110
images that span 350 years to the present.Images of Nature is
located in the Museum’s Blue Zone at the end of Dinosaur Way.Entrance
to the gallery is free.Images of Nature is open after
hours on the last Friday of the month until 22.30.
Find out about After Hours

Images of Nature is a new
permanent gallery showcasing the Museum's world-famous collection of
natural history artworks.

Zagami meteorite section SEM image

Prints, watercolours and paintings from eminent natural
history artists such as the prolific bird illustrator, John Gerrard
Keulemans and accomplished botanical artist, Georg Ehret, feature in the
collection.Alongside this historic body of work are modern
images created by scientists, imaging specialists, photographers and
micro-CT scanners. Highlights among these are tiny, intriguing
scientific images of stained-glass-like meteorite slices and a 3D scan
of a shark head. Temporary display
Chinese watercolours from
the John Reeves collection and work from a contemporary Shanghai artist



Reeves collection Camellia japonica, 1812-1831

The gallery includes a temporary display of works that changes
annually. This year's theme is Chinese watercolours featuring botanical
and zoological watercolours from the collection of 19th-century amateur
naturalist, John Reeves. These watercolours are too delicate for
permanent display so will change every 3 months, giving visitors the
chance to see about 100 paintings over the year.Contemporary
works by our Shanghai-based artist in residence, inspired by the
collection from China, will also feature in the gallery space for the
year.Interactive kiosks

Enhance your visit at the 6
interactive kiosks in the gallery including a virtual gallery
where you can zoom in and examine more artworks in detail. Other kiosks
highlight more about the Reeves collection, the story of scientific
illustration, and the dodo's changing image.The information
kiosks have a large text option and 3 also feature audio-visual content,
subtitles and a BSL sign language option.Children and adults can
test their observational and illustration skills in a fun interactive
game at another kiosk or at the Draw It activity wall, where they can
pick up