Insects Plate 17
1929
Imagine if a scientist and a fashion designer had a baby—that’s the vibe of this 1929 plate by Emile-Allain Séguy. As a French entomologist, he didn't just want to document bugs; he wanted to show off their fabulous color palettes to textile and wallpaper designers. The result is a stunning collection of wasps that look like they’re wearing metallic armor and stained-glass wings. Notice that electric green wasp on the left? It’s practically glowing! Séguy published these in books specifically to help artists copy nature’s boldest color combinations, making this a bridge between the laboratory and the runway.