The Scott sisters, scientific illustrators

Dr Vanessa Finney, Head of World Cultures, Archives and Research Library at the Australian Museum introduces us to the Scott sisters, possibly Australia’s first professional female illustrators. Their scientific paintings of life-sized moths and butterflies must have been produced with microscopes and single-hair brushes to capture colour, texture and details of tiny features like caterpillar legs and moth antennae.

Vanessa oversees the collection of the sisters’ work, held at the Australian Museum, and wrote the book on the sisters, Transformations, Harriet and Helena Scott: colonial Sydney's finest natural history artists, which explores the lives of these two extraordinary women.

Hear comedian Elsa Daddo's awe at the work of the sisters. She also shares her wonderful imagination, experiences as a professional artist, and a reminder to connect with nature.

Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer.

Transcript

Links

Highlight article by Rachel Rayner

See the artwork we show Elsa - the front cover of Vanessa's book. (Also the first image in the article linked above).

History of the Scott sisters on the Australian Museum website, also here.

The history of sunfish at the Australian Museum

The Art of Science app by the Australian Museum (scroll down a few entries)

Credits

Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

Guests: Dr Vanessa Finney, Elsa Daddo

Studio: Damn Good Production

Music: Michelle Cashman

Editing: HoboHut Media

Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

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