Morpho: Anatomy by Artists - Mammals
Predators, Herbivores, and Everything In Between
I recently added Morpho: Anatomy by Artists - Mammals by Michel Lauricella to my collection, already owning the clothing volume from this series. While I initially expected a broader focus on all types of animals, I found this book narrows in exclusively on mammals, a bit of a surprise but still intriguing in its own right.
The introduction is thorough, offering a deep dive into the basics of mammalian anatomy, with definitions, comparisons, and explanations that outline what makes mammals distinct. For those interested in a detailed scientific foundation, the intro will definitely deliver. But, for a dyslexic reader like myself, the dense blocks of text can feel a bit overwhelming, and sometimes, I found myself skimming to keep my brain engaged.
Once the introductory text is done, the book shifts into the real focus: the anatomy of different mammals. Lauricella covers a wide array of species, exploring various anatomical types based on how the animals move, running, jumping, swimming, and even flying. While I lean towards predatory animals, the book does favor herbivores. There are two full pages dedicated to cats, for example, but barely a single page on canines and only a bit on bears in between.
Each section includes a breakdown of skeletal structures, basic shapes, and fully rendered animal forms, but there’s no muscle detail, which might be a disappointment for some anatomy buffs. Lauricella’s style emphasizes simplicity and clarity in the illustrations, making it approachable for artists who want to understand the essentials of form without the clutter of intricate muscle layers.
Compared to the clothing anatomy book, this one seems to have more text in each section, with some pages packed full of details while others are less dense. For dyslexic readers, this layout is a mixed bag, while there are plenty of visual references to anchor understanding, certain pages still require a bit of determination to push through.
Even though the emphasis is more on herbivores than predators, the book is an excellent addition to any anatomy collection. Lauricella’s choice to include some less commonly represented mammals sparked a bit of curiosity for me, as I found myself fascinated by species I might otherwise overlook. Some illustrations make you stop and think, "What animal is this?", a refreshing change from the usual lineup in anatomy books.
Overall, Morpho: Anatomy by Artists - Mammals is a valuable resource for artists, especially those who want to expand their understanding of mammalian forms. Let’s hope Lauricella expands his work to cover other kinds of animals in the future!
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