The artist book and specimen enclosure of Remnants brings the world of four women naturalists to life, and re-frames their stories in a more personal context. The four women explored and honored in this artist book are Maria Sibylla Merian, Mary Anning, Clara E. Cummings and Marianne North. The natural found and collected specimens included and documented in the box inset piece open the door into the world these women wandered and wondered in. 

The narrative of this book centers around their lives and the fascinations that fueled their passions and imaginations. Remnants also offers a tangible and personal connection to the discoveries and observations these women made, scientifically and in strides for all women interested in the field of science. Remnants is a quest to find a new perspective on the accomplishments of early female naturalists not recognized by society, by viewing nature through their lens, in order to better understand their world by examining our own.   

Each signature entails a personal look into an individual woman’s life passions as well as a biographical chart of her accomplishments. Photographs accompany the narrative to create a unique relationship between specimen and naturalist, inviting the viewer to make connections between the two. 

Written, designed and printed by Rhiannon Alpers of Gazelle & Goat Press.
4 x 6” book with milk-painted and waxed wooden covers, bound with vellum straps and upholsterer tacks. Letterpress printed with polymer plates on Moab Entrada Rag 300 paper, with digitally printed original macro photography and folios interleaved with Hahnemühle Bugra paper. 6.75 x 10.75” cloth covered clamshell variant box with natural specimens under museum glass. Box interior lined with Ultrasuede, elephant hide, and bird of paradise handmade paper. Produced in an edition of twenty signed and numbered copies, with three artist proofs.