Representation / visual literacy

How Spring gets pictured

A representation is an argument about what matters. Spring can be pictured as diagnostic plant structure, a modeled surface, a dated field note, or an expressive landscape — and each form carries different evidence.

Matrix comparing field notes, botanical illustration, modeled maps, and seasonal art.

editorial diagram

Representation matrix

This original ICU diagram separates site-specific/generalized from measured/interpretive tendencies. It is a teaching device, not a scientific taxonomy.

supported reference

Botanical illustration

Smithsonian Gardens distinguishes botanical illustration’s emphasis on scientific accuracy from botanical art’s emphasis on expression.

Source: Smithsonian Gardens · supported reference

modeled

Phenology map

A gridded spring index can reveal spatial pattern and timing estimates. The visual power of a map does not turn model output into direct observation.

Source: USA National Phenology Network · supported reference

public-domain record

Spring landscape

The National Gallery of Art catalogs Berthe Morisot’s Spring Landscape (c. 1890/1891) and marks its media as free and in the public domain. This release links to the object record instead of copying the image.

Source: National Gallery of Art · supported reference

Rights-aware path

Cherry blossoms without a rights guess.

The Library of Congress maintains a “Free to Use and Reuse” cherry-blossom collection. Spring Universe links to that curated rights-aware entry point rather than pulling an unattributed image from general web search.

Source: Library of Congress · supported reference