This sumptuous book presents a selection of over one hundred stunning artworks, depicting animals real and mythical, from the prints and photography collections of the Bibliotheque nationale de France.

The work opens with a preface from celebrated cultural historian Michel Pastoureau, who considers the symbolic importance of animals to our dreams and imagination. Each image is accompanied by a commentary from one of the BnF's expert editorial team of curators and archivists, which provides information on the natural and symbolic history of the creature depicted. Featured artworks...