Carl Ignaz Leopold Kny & his Botanische Wandtafeln (1874-1911). Part Number One : In which we see Kny’s more colourful physiology artworks of mushroom & fern.

German botanist, Carl Ignaz Leopold Kny (1841-1916). German biology professor, artist/author of the
Botanische Wandtafeln &
inadvertent abstract artist extraordinare.

It began in the early 1860s and as a student in Berlin when German botanist, Carl Ignaz Leopold Kny (1841-1916), started collecting algae samples from southern Europe for his studies. His biological tastes changed over time and he moved on. His specialist subject, and the one he would become famous for, was the minute study of the morphology of fungi (mushrooms) and cryptograms (ferns). For over 37 years, between 1874 and 1911, Kny worked on his Botanische Wandtafeln, a series of 120 botanical wall charts now renowned (amongst mushroom and fern botanists) for their insane detail. 

Accompanied with a 554-page textbook for explanatory purposes. Kny’s wall charts were widely used in classrooms long after his death, expanding the minds of countless students. They are still revered today, and are housed in several different museum archives. 

The very spirit of mushrooms and ferns exists within Kny’s expansive work, calming and yet wild. The organisms are deconstructed for us, explained to us, their essence made visible in a way we can feel, if not understand. An abstract work that we know instinctively speaks the truth. The art of science.

 

Education plate with four images, executed in color, showing the development of Botrydium granulatum.
Education plate with three images, executed in color, illustrating the development of the male fern.
Education plate with six images, executed in color, showing the development of Botrydium granulatum.
Educational plate with an image of a cross-section by Pinus laricio

Educational plate showing a microscopic view of cross-section through the lichen Collema pulposum.
Education plate with three images concerning the development and construction of the lichen Physcia parietina.
Education plate with image, executed in colour, of cross-section through the lichen Cora pavonia.
Education plate with microscopic image of a section through Tilia parvifolia.
Education plate with three images concerning the development of Sphaeroplea annulina.
Educational plate with a number of images showing the development of the male fern.
Educational plate with three images, executed in color, illustrating the development of Sphaeroplea annulina.
Education plate with a number of images, executed in colour, showing the development of Botrydium granulatum.
Educational plate with a number of images, executed in colour, showing the development of Sphaeroplea annulina.
Educational plate with a number of images, executed in colour, illustrating the development of Botrydium granulatum.
Educational plate with image, on a microscopic level and executed in color, of Delesseria alata.
Educational plate with a number of images illustrating the reproduction of Floridees.
Educational poster with a number of microscopic images relating to the construction and development of hops.
Educational plate depicting a cross section through the lichen Lichina pygmaea.
Educational plate with both macro and microscopic images concerning the construction
and development of Marchantia polymorpha.
Educational plate with images concerning the construction and development of Marchantia polymorpha.
Education plate with a number of images, executed in colour, showing the inflorescence of Lythrum salicaria.
Education plate with three images illustrating the development of Claviceps purpurea.
Education plate with three images illustrating the development of Claviceps purpurea.

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