I was immediately drawn to Botanical Revolutions: How Plants Changed the Course of Art by Giovanni Aloi because of its stunning cover, and I was even more amazed when I opened the book to find that the inside is just as beautiful. From the cover to the end page, the book captures the intricate and vital relationship between plants and art, revealing how plants have influenced artistic expression across time. Aloi takes us on a journey through history, from ancient cultures to Renaissance masterpieces, and even into indigenous communities' works, all while highlighting how plants have shaped the evolution of artistic movements. The lush photographs and vibrant illustrations enhance the narrative, making it a visual delight as much as an intellectual one.

What I particularly appreciate is the wide scope of this book—not only does it cover a variety of historical periods, but it also takes a global approach. Aloi doesn't limit his exploration to Western art but includes diverse pieces from all over the world, enriching the reader’s understanding of how plants have been represented in different cultures and regions. The book’s extensive range of art mediums is also fascinating, offering a tactile sense of how plant representations shift in form and texture, from intricate wood carvings to stunning botanical illustrations. My personal favorite is the walnut wood carving from Kashmir, a 19th-century piece that perfectly illustrates the artistic potential of natural materials. I can also imagine that the majority of the art included in this book would be beautiful decorative prints or pieces that could be hung on a wall at home.

This book is a wonderful resource for art history lovers, plant enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of nature and creativity. It would make an excellent gift for those with an academic interest in the arts but also a beautiful, accessible work for those who may not have a deep background in the subject but still appreciate the elegance and importance of plants in art.

One of my favourite illustrations is used as a chapter break image from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It depicts one of Buddha’s disciples reading a scroll painted with coloured inks on Bodhi leaves. The artist has intentionally left part of the leaf unpainted, allowing the veins of the leaf to add depth and texture to the work.

Aloi explores the history of plants in art and the vital contributions of plants to our world. Plants have been admired for their beauty and roles as sources of food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.
The range of the work in this book is extensive, from images found in caves to those carved from wood and painted on leaves or canvases. From Roman Trompe l’oeil to the works of the Renaissance to Matisse, Maplethorpe and Mona Caron. Caron’s giant mural that snakes up the entire side of a building celebrates the rebellious resilience of weeds! Stunning!

In addition to acknowledging the author, I want to recognise the work of the designer in this book. I read the ebook version, but I bet the hardcopy version would be one I’d pick up and admire.

This book will be available in hardcover on March 18, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Getty Publications for providing me with a copy for review.

👍 Thumbs up.

Go read a book!

Body count: 0.

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This book is those reads where you just want to stop and show people the pages!

Giovanni Aloi takes us on a fascinating journey through the often-overlooked role of plants in art history, arguing that plants deserve a legitimate spot in art history conversations, right alongside all the human and cultural influences we've spent centuries analyzing. The book is packed with gorgeous illustrations, global perspectives, and insights that made me rethink how I see both art and nature.

It's the kind of book you'd love to leave out on your coffee table to flip through again and again—and to spark interesting conversations with guests. If you love art, plants, or just beautifully crafted books, this one is a must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Getty Publications for the ARC!

This is a stunning collection of art, pregnant with themes of botany & framed by guiding interpretations of the history that accompanies each piece.

My favorites included: Metamorphosis of Narcissus, Aubrey-Henry-Joseph Limewood Carved Relief, The Great Piece of Turf, A Hare in the Forest, Forest Still Life with Great Morning Glory & Toad, Barbara Regina Dietzsch’s Dandelion, Dye Making in the City of Jaipur, Sandringham, Shauquethqueat’s Eutrochium, Nocturnal Botanical Ontario

Each chapter’s title page also has incredible art that draws the eye & holds its attention. Chapter’s 5 & 6 are my favorites.

The quality of the images is so rich & stunning. It almost has a greater effect than glimpsing these pieces at a museum, as you’re able to stare and feel a closer kinship with the art on the pages turned by your hand — versus a canvas displayed on a wall, from which you are ever reminded to keep your distance.

This book spans eras, cultures, art styles. It is truly incredible. I would love to have a physical copy.

Not to mention that so many of my favorite things were incorporated: MoMa, Cyanotypes, Matisse!

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC.

An absolutely wonderful book. This is a big coffee table book of botanical art from all over the world and history. The pictures are well chosen and curated, so they are all very different and all merit being showcased. But what sets this book aside are the notes under each picture, which are actually interesting, They are sometimes directly related to the art, other times the link is vague, but they are all worth reading. I don't usually find all the captions in art books engaging, but like the pictures they earn their place in the book. This would be a must buy book for art lovers, nature lovers and everyone in between, and will be a go to gift recommendation. .

Such a beautiful book! So much attention to detail in the information presented and the artwork, presentation of historical pieces and historic pictures were so appealing to the eyes. A book you could look back upon for reference or for pieces of show and conversation.

For me this book was all about the pictures. How the author narrowed down the art work is beyond me but what they did pick was perfect. I appreciated the thought process and explanations throughout the book, even though I found myself skimming the text at times. If you appreciate art at any level this is definitely a book you can get lost in.

Publishing date: 18.03.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

TLDR: A book full of art featuring plants in some way, shape, or form and their impact and importance in art throughout history. 4 stars

This book is absolutely stunning. The artworks featured are gorgeous and fascinating. I now have a few more "favorite" artists to attempt to get replica artworks from.

Featuring works and artists from all over the world and all throughout history. You get a lot of different works. For each piece you get a "note" explaining some important parts of the work or an interesting point or history attached to it. These were generally interesting, but in some cases they could feature repeating points. This is unavoidable as the themes were the same in the different chapters.

I was a big fan of how everything was explained, it felt like being back at art school. I definitely learned a few new things to use in my own works.
What I liked and didn't like

The intended audience here is both artists, art fans, and plant parents with an interest in the history of plants. I would like to say adults would enjoy it more as the language is a little more complex.

4 stars, gorgeous book. This is definitely a coffee table book that I might end up buying for my home. Would fit in well among my plants and artworks. Highly recommend.