Midissage: Wie Insekten zu Bildern werden: Illustrationen in historischen entomologischen Büchern

In the organizer's words:

Midisage - reopening of the exhibition with a lecture by curator Thomas Thibault Döring

How insects become pictures: Illustrations in historical entomological books

The magnificently colored insect books are a source of admiration. The production of these works was a laborious process. Someone had to catch the insects, then prepare them, then draw them, engrave the drawing on a copper plate, make prints and finally color them. And someone had to finance all this and sell the expensive volumes. The collaboration of so many people had its pitfalls. The lecture reports on this.

The exhibition
May 8 to August 9, 2026 in the exhibition room of the Bibliotheca Albertina (Leipzig)
Mon.-Mi.: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Thu.-Sun.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Website: ub .uni-leipzig.de/insects
Free admission.

Insects and books have an ambivalent relationship. While magnificently colored insect books are among the special treasures of a library, feeding galleries in the books show that paperfish and beetles are also interested in historical literature.

The exhibition at Leipzig University Library provides exciting insights into the history of entomology and presents its valuable collection of historical entomological books. The focus is on insectological literature from the 18th century. At that time, interest in insects was growing by leaps and bounds; collecting beetles and butterflies became a real trend. The young entomology experienced a massive boom, above all due to the dissemination of 'insect knowledge' in books.

In addition to the insect books, models and specimens from the Zoological Collection of the University of Leipzig are on display. In addition to questions about the presentation and organization of insects, the handling of unwanted insects in the library will also be discussed. And in keeping with the theme, the exhibition itself will undergo a metamorphosis and change its appearance over the course of the summer.