Finding inspiration in nature

Ernst Haeckel’s masterpiece, Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature) is available for both low and hi-resolution download. The wonderful thing about this resource is that not only are the original plates inspiring but you can also download files of the outlines too, which are ideal as jumping off spots …

Decorative art and fine art books online

There is a large library of online art books, free to download at the Onlinebooks housed by the University of Pennsylvania. This resource is not limited to the topic of art as there is a digitised library to explore. Another category that kept me busy browsing is the Decorative Arts. …

Rare Manuscript Pages online

BibliOdyssey has recently highlighted some wonderful manuscript pages from part of the Digital Scriptorium. The Plimpton MS 296 from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University is a Spanish parchment manual for calligraphers/copyists was made between 1500 and 1515. These pages are just delicious take some time out …

Free antique embroidery pattern book online

My printer is going to be running hot as soon as I finish writing this post. An 1886 catalogue of embroidery designs from the New Sample Book of Our Artistic Perforated Parchment Stamping Patterns , has been put online. The catalogue is from J. F. Ingalls of Lynn, Massachusetts who established …