Invertebrates in art and history

[paul m]

Birds, mammals and plants are commonly seen in painting, sculptures, heraldry &c but seldom insects or other invertebrates. In fact, the only one I can remember is this carving on a mediaeval building in Arles, southern France:
I presume the insect is a cicada although it does look a bit like a bristletail - any other offers?
http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal....php/photo/442

[paul m]

"Mamam" by Louise Bourgeois

Category:Spider by Louise Bourgeois - Wikimedia Commons

[stirling]

Think the egyptians had a few paul,not sure though.
best from mike.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by stirling

Think the egyptians had a few paul,not sure though.
best from mike.

How could I forget them, Mike?

Egyptian Scarab Beetle - Representing the God Khepri - Heart Scarab

[stirling]

Interesting little site paul,thanks.
Best from mike.

[goosey]

I remeber seeing the Antiques Road show a few years back when one of the experts was Showing off the carved cornicing of the Stately Home the show was coming from. This cornicing had lots of flora, forna and wildlife carved into it including incects - I clearly remember a dragonfly and beetles were represented. I dont suppose this really counts as insects are not the priciple subject. Shame I can't rember which stately home it was though.

The Chinese use to carve small, very intricately insects from ivory, crickets and beetles. They may have been more of a good luck symbol than a work of art although they were wokd of art themselves.

[frostfire]

I know that the Ancient Greeks portrayed insects on their coins. Bees (symbol for the godess Artemis), beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers and probally other species have been found depicted on their coins. Also Roman coins have been found with engravings of insects.
Not only are there insects to be found on Greek coins but also on sculptures; the sculptors Myrmecide, Callicrates and Phidias thought it was a challenge to sculpt the tiny creatures!

And I think that the Japanese have insects in their family shields.

[black]

Dr. Charles Hogue has written a very interesting article on Cultural Entomology which you might want to check out

Cultural Entomology by Dr Charles Hogue, Cultural Entomology Digest 1

[paul m]

Thanks, yes. Since starting this thread I've actually come upon a book about insects in Greek art - certainly there are some interesting things there!

Another surprising find was this screen in the Saxon church at Earls Barton (I don't suppose the painting was Anglo-Saxon). Clearly someone liked butterflies:

Originally Posted by frostfire

I know that the Ancient Greeks portrayed insects on their coins. Bees (symbol for the godess Artemis), beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers and probally other species have been found depicted on their coins. Also Roman coins have been found with engravings of insects.
Not only are there insects to be found on Greek coins but also on sculptures; the sculptors Myrmecide, Callicrates and Phidias thought it was a challenge to sculpt the tiny creatures!

And I think that the Japanese have insects in their family shields.

[paul m]

On a wall in Chester with no further comment:

[paul m]

Originally Posted by stirling

Think the egyptians had a few paul,not sure though.
best from mike.

Not just the Egyptians who liked scarabs - BioOne Online Journals - Scarab Beetles in Human Culture
Shall try and get a copy of this ....

[paul m]

This is one of the carvings on Chartres cathedral:

The number of legs is right for an insect but what do we think it is?