Desmond Morris
A Life Between Science and Surrealism Desmond Morris lived a life defined by two seemingly different worlds: the rigorous study of animal behavior and the dreamlike realms of surrealist painting. Born on 24 January 1928 in Purton, Wiltshire, his early years were shaped by an interest in natural history that would later define his career as a zoologist and ethologist. While he gained international fame for his books on human biology, s…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Desmond Morris's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Desmond Morris's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.