We are featuring some beautiful owls this month as part of our World Book Night celebrations - an annual celebration of reading and books which taking place this year on 23 April.
These wonderful, characterful owls are from a very special book : Ornithologia, methodice digesta atque iconibus aeneis ad vivum illuminatis ornate = Storia naturale degli uccelli, trattata con metodo e adornata di figure intagliate in rame with dedication signed by: Saverio Manetti, Lorenzo Lorenzi, Violante Vanni, in five volumes, Florentiae : in aedibus Mouchinnis, 1767-76.
It was an extraordinary book, produced in five large folio volumes and published in Florence over a period of ten years from 1767. The birds are depicted with such character by the artists Lorenzo Lorenzi and Violante Vanni. The text in the volumes is in both Latin and Italian by Saverio Manetti.
Saverio [Francis Xavier] Manetti (1723-1785) was a Florentine physician and botanist. This remarkable book was commissioned by Maria Luisa, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany.
According to S. Peter Dance in The art of natural history : animal illustrators and their work (London : Country Life Books, 1978) " It was larger, better engraved and more vividly coloured than any previous work on birds, but these are not its only claim to fame. The attitudes of the birds themselves give this book its unique character. Strutting, parading, posturing, and occasionally flying over its 600 hand-coloured plates are birds whose real-life counterparts would surely disown them, and not without reason, for Manetti seems in these pictures to be depicting the human comedy, the habits and mannerisms of contemporary Italian society. Nonetheless his book may still be rated among the very greatest bird books, if only for its magnificent comicality”
We will be displaying some of the volumes from Manetti’s great work in ZSL Library from 14 April onwards so do call in to see them if you can, meanwhile do enjoy the images on this page
Many resources are available in ZSL Library and no appointment is necessary to use these, however if you are a ZSL member please bring your membership card. Non-members will need proof of address and photographic ID if you are not already a member of ZSL.
Use our online catalogue to find more detailed information about specific items in our holdings. It also contains links to relevant online resources:
Select a blog
Our people are our greatest asset and we realise our vision for a world where wildlife thrives through their ideas, skills and passion. An inspired, informed and empowered community of people work, study and volunteer together at ZSL.
At ZSL, a key area of our work is the employment of Nature-based Solutions – an approach which both adapt to and mitigates the impacts of climate change. These Solutions, which include habitat protection and restoration, are low-cost yet high-impact, and provide multiple benefits to people and wildlife. We ensure that biodiversity recovery is at the heart of nature-based solutions.
A blog for lovers of ZSL London Zoo, bringing you extraordinary animal facts and exclusive access to the world's oldest scientific zoo.
Do you love wildlife? Discover more about our amazing animals at the UK's biggest zoo!
We're working around the world to conserve animals and their habitats, find out more about our latest achievements.
From the field to the lab, catch up with the scientists on the cutting edge of conservation biology at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology.
A day in Discovery and Learning at ZSL is never dull! The team tell us all about the exciting sessions for school children, as well as work further afield.
Every month, one of the pieces held in ZSL’s Library and at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will feature here as Artefact of the Month.
Read testimonials from our Members and extracts from ZSL's award winning members' magazine, Wild About.
ZSL works across Asia, from the famous national parks of Nepal to marine protected areas in the Philippines. Read the latest updates on our conservation.
An Open Access journal for research at the interface of remote sensing, ecology and conservation.
