February 12th 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, arguably the most influential scientist of modern times (in ways that he himself would never have imagined). No single researcher since has matched his collective impact on the natural and social sciences; on politics, religion and philosophy; on art and cultural relations. Nature magazine commissioned this portrait of Darwin (c.1840) for the cover of the current issue. Art direction by Barbara Izdebska.
