These luminous photographic prints, taken from the groundbreaking book Microcosms – Sacred Plants of the Americas, reveal the hidden architecture of plants revered by Indigenous cultures across the Americas – from peyote and ayahuasca to cacao and tobacco.

Created by microscopy specialist Jill Pflugheber and historian Steven F. White, these images were captured using confocal microscopy – a laser-based technique that scans living tissue layer by layer to produce sharp, three-dimensional images without artificial colouring. The result is a vivid fusion of science and spirit, where cell walls glow like stained glass and microscopic structures become otherworldly landscapes.

Pictured: Theobroma cacao (cacao) – this evergreen tree with shiny leathery leaves and tiny flowers that grow in clusters directly from the trunk prefers the habitat of wet tropical areas in Central and South America. Its oblong pods contain a white pulp embedded with 20-50 flat seeds, which are used to make chocolate. For the Aztecs, Cacao was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, and its seeds were so highly valued that they were used as a form of monetary exchange.

Printed on premium giclée fine art paper, each image is produced with exceptional clarity and depth of colour, revealing the intricate inner life of these extraordinary plants. Available in three sizes, they bring a sense of wonder and reverence to any space – from studios and galleries to classrooms and meditation rooms.

28cm x 28cm (to fit 40cm x 40cm frame) - £70.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
40cm x 40cm (to fit 50cm x 50cm frame) - £100.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
90cm x 90cm (to fit 1m x 1m frame) – £250.00 (inc. VAT) + postage
Custom sizes are available upon request. Please contact sales@papadakis.net for more information

A celebration of beauty, biology, and cultural connection, these never-seen-before prints invite viewers to look closer at the living world and the knowledge it carries.

• Striking imagery from the acclaimed book Microcosms – Sacred Plants of the Americas

• Created by microscopy specialist Jill Pflugheber and historian Steven F. White

• Captured using confocal laser microscopy – revealing cellular structures in astonishing detail

• No artificial colouring – light and fluorescence create natural spectral effects

• Printed on museum-quality giclée fine art paper with archival inks

• Available in three versatile sizes – ready to frame and display

• Ideal for lovers of art, science, and the natural and spiritual worlds alike