“The Wanderer” emphasizes the scientific contributions of pioneering artist and naturalist Mary Banning – Great
In the 1800s, mycology (study on fungi) was a relatively new field, with the Enlightenment Research of Botany and Herbal Medicine around the time of enlightenment. Science and art blend the work of Elizabeth Blackwell Curious herbsand seven volumes by German naturalist Lorenz Oken Allgemaine Naturgeschichteconsisting of more than 5,000 pages, specializing in categorization from beetles, fish to mushrooms and ferns.
In the late 19th century, in Mary Elizabeth Banning (1822–1903) became one of the first mycologists in the United States and the first woman to describe a new species of fungi in science. The self-taught artist and scientist is now the focus of the NY State Museum’s nature-centric exhibition, Wanderer: Mary Banning’s Mushroom World. The show has 28 original watercolors and detailed records of various mushroom species, unpublished manuscripts of her book, Fungi from Maryland. In fact, of the 175 species she recorded, 23 were scientifically unknown at the time.
Banning’s manuscript specializes in Charles H. Peck, whose role as a New York botanist (New York botanist) and passionate mycologist, is NYSM, forming the basis of Banning’s 30 years of letters. As a woman in the male field with almost no formal degree in biology, Banning was excluded in professional litigation at the time, but her work was not recognized. Peck is annual report In 1871 he left her manuscript in a drawer in Nysm, where it lasted for ninety years.
A few bans and Peck’s letters are included in Wanderer, In addition to some of Peck’s laboratory equipment, mushroom specimens are prohibited from collecting, as well as wax figures from more than a dozen wax fungi in the NYSM natural history collection.
In addition to Banning’s vivid illustrations, the exhibition introduces visitors to the mycologic universe, including prehistoric specimens. atom. Fossil examples of ancient forms of life have been found in Orange County, New York. About 42 to 370 million years ago, these unique creatures would have reached a 26-foot high landscape.
Wanderer: Mary Banning’s Mushroom WorldIt lasts until January 4 in Albany. Learn more and plan your visit on the museum website.
