Ernst Haeckel

German, 1834–1919

Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) was a German zoologist, naturalist and artist whose exquisitely detailed illustrations revealed the hidden symmetry of the natural world. His masterwork, Kunstformen der Natur ("Art Forms in Nature", 1899–1904), gathered a hundred lithographic plates of radiolarians, jellyfish, siphonophores, orchids, lichens and countless other organisms, arranged with a designer's eye for pattern and balance. These plates shaped Art Nouveau design and remain among the most reproduced scientific illustrations ever made — a rare meeting point of biology and art.

74 artworks

An intricate depiction of ferns, showcasing their detailed fronds and a central tree-fern in a lush, misty background.

Filicinae (Ferns)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of green algae showcasing various forms and textures.

Siphoneae (Green Algae)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of barnacles and a central crab-like figure against a black background.

Cirripedia (Barnacles)

Ernst Haeckel

A vibrant depiction of sea anemones with flowing tentacles arranged in a dynamic composition.

Actiniae (Sea Anemones)

Ernst Haeckel

A vibrant display of hummingbirds in mid-flight, showcasing their colorful feathers and intricate details.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of cephalopods in an underwater setting, showcasing their limbs and textures.

Gamochonia (Cephalopods)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of jellyfish showcasing their delicate anatomy and rhythmic forms in shades of blue.

Leptomedusae (Jellyfish)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of a jellyfish with curling tentacles and petal-like lobes, surrounded by scientific studies.

Peromedusae (Jellyfish)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of bristle worms displaying feathery limbs and armored segments in vibrant colors.

Chaetopoda (Bristle Worms)

Ernst Haeckel

Illustration of copepods with intricate details and vibrant colors, showcasing their feathery appendages and segmented bodies.

Copepoda (Copepods)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various spiders, showcasing their intricate forms and patterns.

Arachnida (Spiders)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of brittle stars with curling arms against a black background.

Ophiodea (Brittle Stars)

Ernst Haeckel

An illustration of boxfish showcasing armored forms and intricate geometry.

Ostraciontes (Boxfish)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various sea urchins against a black background, showcasing their intricate structures and textures.

Echinidea (Sea Urchins)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate arrangement of marine micro-organisms radiating outward with geometric patterns and vibrant colors.

Polycyttaria (Radiolaria)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various Foraminifera species, showcasing their unique forms and intricate structures against a dark background.

Thalamophora (Foraminifera)

Ernst Haeckel

Intricate illustrations of rotifers showcasing their delicate symmetry and organic forms.

Rotatoria (Rotifers)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of a siphonophore with detailed anatomical structures and a translucent appearance.

Siphonophorae (Siphonophores)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate depiction of jellyfish with tentacles and anatomical details in coral reds and cool greys.

Anthomedusae (Jellyfish)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of echinoderms, showcasing their intricate forms and patterns in a decorative arrangement.

Amphoridea (Echinoderms)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of pitcher plants with curling tendrils and gaping pitchers in mottled colors.

Nepenthaceae (Pitcher Plants)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various lichens against a black background, showcasing their intricate forms and structures.

Lichenes (Lichens)

Ernst Haeckel

A vibrant composition of intricate orchids with various colors and forms against a creamy background.

Orchideae (Orchids)

Ernst Haeckel

A pair of intricately detailed sea cucumbers surrounded by delicate structures on a green background.

Thuroidea (Sea Cucumbers)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of ancient sea creatures with glowing forms and symmetrical structures against a dark background.

Blastoidea (Sea Buds)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of green algae with orange accents against a creamy background, showcasing their symmetrical forms.

Melethallia (Algae)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of a crystalline marine organism with symmetrical golden structure and delicate spines.

Xiphacantha (Acantharian Radiolarian)

Ernst Haeckel

A collection of sea snail shells displayed against a black background, showcasing their intricate forms and textures.

Prosobranchia (Sea Snails)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of fan worms showcasing spirals and curves against a black background.

Spirobranchia (Fan Worms)

Ernst Haeckel

An intricate illustration of radiolaria, showcasing their geometric forms and symmetry against a dark background.

Spumellaria (Radiolaria)

Ernst Haeckel

A symmetrical arrangement of jellyfish and their kin against a deep green background, highlighting their intricate structures.

Discomedusae (Jellyfish)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various ascomycete fungi, showcasing their intricate forms and patterns against a dark background.

Ascomycetes (Sac Fungi)

Ernst Haeckel

An illustration of crabs and lobsters, showcasing their intricate forms against a black background.

Decapoda (Crabs and Lobsters)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed depiction of various lizards, showcasing their unique textures and postures.

Lacertilia (Lizards)

Ernst Haeckel

An illustration of calcareous sponges showcasing intricate, alien-like forms against a dark background.

Calcispongiae (Calcareous Sponges)

Ernst Haeckel

A vibrant illustration of red algae with intricate patterns and forms against a clean background.

Florideae (Red Algae)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of Radiolaria showcasing intricate forms and symmetry.

Acanthometra (Radiolaria)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of stony corals, showcasing their intricate forms and textures.

Hexacoralla (Stony Corals)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of starfish resembling rare flowers, showcasing diverse forms and colors.

Asteridea (Starfish)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of coniferous plants including cones and branches, showcasing their unique textures and forms.

Coniferae (Conifers)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of hydroids resembling living cathedrals with intricate tendrils and cups.

Campanariae (Hydroids)

Ernst Haeckel

A detailed illustration of various antelope species, showcasing their distinct horns and features against a white background.

Antilopina (Antelopes)

Ernst Haeckel

A parade of fantastical cystoids with geometric patterns and orbs against a black void.

Cystoidea (Cystoids)

Ernst Haeckel

Stephoidea – Ringelstrahlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Stephoidea – Ringelstrahlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Antilopina – Antilopen by Ernst Haeckel

Antilopina – Antilopen

Ernst Haeckel

Acephala – Muscheln by Ernst Haeckel

Acephala – Muscheln

Ernst Haeckel

Ciliata – Wimperlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Ciliata – Wimperlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Crinoidea – Palmensterne by Ernst Haeckel

Crinoidea – Palmensterne

Ernst Haeckel

Thuroidea – Gurkensterne by Ernst Haeckel

Thuroidea – Gurkensterne

Ernst Haeckel

Desmidiea – Bierdinge by Ernst Haeckel

Desmidiea – Bierdinge

Ernst Haeckel

Bryozoa – Woostiere by Ernst Haeckel

Bryozoa – Woostiere

Ernst Haeckel

Spirobranchia – Spiralkiemer by Ernst Haeckel

Spirobranchia – Spiralkiemer

Ernst Haeckel

Orchideae – Denusblumen - A. Giltsch, gem by Ernst Haeckel

Orchideae – Denusblumen - A. Giltsch, gem

Ernst Haeckel

Crytoidea – Flaschenstrahlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Crytoidea – Flaschenstrahlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Flagellata – Geiklinge by Ernst Haeckel

Flagellata – Geiklinge

Ernst Haeckel

Peromedusae – Talchenquallen by Ernst Haeckel

Peromedusae – Talchenquallen

Ernst Haeckel

Polycyttaria – Vereins-Strahlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Polycyttaria – Vereins-Strahlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Melethallia – Gesellige Algetten by Ernst Haeckel

Melethallia – Gesellige Algetten

Ernst Haeckel

Thalamophora – Kammerlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Thalamophora – Kammerlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Echinidea – Igelsterne by Ernst Haeckel

Echinidea – Igelsterne

Ernst Haeckel

Leptomedusae – Faltenquallen by Ernst Haeckel

Leptomedusae – Faltenquallen

Ernst Haeckel

Trachomedusae – Kolbenquallen by Ernst Haeckel

Trachomedusae – Kolbenquallen

Ernst Haeckel

Tetracoralla – Bierstrahlige Sternkorallen by Ernst Haeckel

Tetracoralla – Bierstrahlige Sternkorallen

Ernst Haeckel

Teleostei – Knochenfische by Ernst Haeckel

Teleostei – Knochenfische

Ernst Haeckel

Mycetozoa – Pilztiere by Ernst Haeckel

Mycetozoa – Pilztiere

Ernst Haeckel

Muscinae – Laubmoose - A. Giltsch, gem by Ernst Haeckel

Muscinae – Laubmoose - A. Giltsch, gem

Ernst Haeckel

Sertulariae – Reihenpolnpen by Ernst Haeckel

Sertulariae – Reihenpolnpen

Ernst Haeckel

Bryozoa – Moostiere by Ernst Haeckel

Bryozoa – Moostiere

Ernst Haeckel

Basimycetes – Schwammpilze by Ernst Haeckel

Basimycetes – Schwammpilze

Ernst Haeckel

Lichenes – Flechten by Ernst Haeckel

Lichenes – Flechten

Ernst Haeckel

Ctenophorae – Kammquallen by Ernst Haeckel

Ctenophorae – Kammquallen

Ernst Haeckel

Filicinae – Laubfarne by Ernst Haeckel

Filicinae – Laubfarne

Ernst Haeckel

Discoidea – Scheiben-Strahlinge by Ernst Haeckel

Discoidea – Scheiben-Strahlinge

Ernst Haeckel

Amphoridea – Urnensterne by Ernst Haeckel

Amphoridea – Urnensterne

Ernst Haeckel