The Evolution of Paleontological Art
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS

Fossils have stirred the imagination globally for thousands of years, starting well before they were recognized as the remains of once-living organisms and proxies of former worlds. This volume samples the history of art about fossils and the visual conceptualization of their significance starting with biblical and mythological depictions, extending to renditions of ancient life as it flourished in long-vanished habitats, and on to a modern understanding that fossil art conveys lessons for the betterment of the human condition. The 29 papers and accompanying artwork illustrate how art about fossils has come to be a significant teaching tool not only about evolution of past life, but also about conservation of our planet for the benefit of future generations.
The illustration of dinosaur tracks through time
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Published:February 24, 2022
ABSTRACT
Dinosaur tracks have been illustrated since they were first found. The earliest illustrations depicted dinosaur tracks as the work of mythical beings. With the advent of scientific inquiry into dinosaur tracks in the nineteenth century, natural explanations were sought for the fossil tracks. Illustrations of the period were relatively realistic but were influenced by then-current beliefs and were constrained by the artists’ skills and by what scientists considered salient. In the mid-nineteenth century, the first photographs were used for the scientific study of fossil tracks. Photography eliminated some limitations of artistic talent and showed complete specimens, not just aspects...
- Archosauria
- art
- Chordata
- Connecticut
- Diapsida
- dinosaurs
- Europe
- graphic methods
- Hampshire County Massachusetts
- history
- Iberian Peninsula
- Kane County Utah
- laser methods
- lidar methods
- Massachusetts
- metadata
- Middlesex County Connecticut
- paleontology
- photogrammetry
- physical models
- Portugal
- Reptilia
- Setubal Portugal
- Southern Europe
- Tetrapoda
- tracks
- United States
- Utah
- Vertebrata
- visualization
- Middletown Connecticut
- Edward Hitchcock
- Cabo Espichel Portugal
- Flag Point Site
- Pliny Moody Quarry