Chiroptera. – Bats
1904
Ernst Haeckel turned scientific classification into visual poetry in his famous 1904 book *Kunstformen der Natur* (Art Forms in Nature). This plate, labeled 'Tafel 67 — Vampyrus,' showcases a stunning array of bat species (Chiroptera), ranging from a majestic full-spread wingspan at the top to almost comical, gargoyle-like faces at the bottom. Haeckel was a biologist first, but his obsession with symmetry and organic shapes helped spark the Art Nouveau movement. Designers of the early 20th century went crazy for these intricate details, using them as inspiration for everything from jewelry to architecture.
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