For the nineteenth century the ocean depths were what outer space was to the twentieth century; a frontier to be conquered, mystical, mysterious and foreboding. Ernst Haeckel (b.1834-1919) was a biologist fascinated with the geometric intricacies, patterned structures and perfect symmetry of alien sea creatures of the deep. Uniting art and science he detailed his discoveries in watercolour images in a way that captured their true form while retaining their mythic beauty.
