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Bernard Palissy (1509-1589), French potter, geologist and naturalist, surrounded by plants and animals, coloured artwork. Originally a glass-painter by trade, Palissy spent 16 years on experiments to produce enamels. From 1557 his ceramics, decorated in coloured relief, made him famous. From 1575 to 1584 he lectured on natural history, physics and agriculture. As a Huguenot Protestant, he was arrested by France's Catholic regime in 1588 for his religious beliefs, and died in prison the following year. Original artwork from the 1875 edition of Vies des Savants Illustres. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/SHEILA TERRY)