On the "signature characteristics" of the 20th Century Scientiﬁc Animalistic Illustrations
The article explores a particular area of the Russian graphic art of the 20th century, i.e. the scientiﬁc animal illustration with a speciﬁc “signature”. The author analyses a speciﬁc area of biology, the ethological illustrations a wide range of behavioral patterns of the animal. Such images provide a vivid example of the representative interpretation of a “signature”. The article reviews the origins of scientiﬁc animal illustration, noting its wide application especially at the time of major scientiﬁc discoveries. It is emphasized that the artistic system of such illustrations should be thoroughly analyzed.