Haddock (Melanogrammus Aeglefinus) French Arctic Voyage, 1845, Print

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Antique Print of Haddock (Melanogrammus Aeglefinus) – French Arctic Voyage, 1845 This fine hand-colored lithograph features L’Écrefin (Melanogrammus Aeglefinus), more … Read more Antique Print of Haddock (Melanogrammus Aeglefinus) – French Arctic Voyage, 1845 This fine hand-colored lithograph features L’Écrefin (Melanogrammus Aeglefinus), more commonly known as the haddock, a staple of North Atlantic fisheries. The illustration was created for Voyage en Islande et au Groenland, a landmark French natural history expedition, and published in Paris by Arthus Bertrand in 1845. The haddock is presented in elegant profile, with its distinctive dark lateral line and the classic black blotch—or "Devil’s thumbprint"—just behind the pectoral fin clearly visible. Three dorsal fins, a pointed snout, and a silver-gray body with golden undertones are rendered with clarity and lifelike coloration. The wide, alert eye and slightly parted mouth add character and biological accuracy to the depiction. This is plate “Poissons Pl. 27” and was drawn by Louis Bévalet, engraved by H. Blanchard. As with other works from this voyage, the image is both scientifically rigorous and artistically composed, part of a broader effort to document marine life in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions during a period of intense European exploration and discovery. The haddock has long been a key commercial species, widely fished and central to culinary traditions across northern Europe. Its inclusion in this series underlines its importance in both scientific and economic contexts of the time. The *Voyage en Islande et au Groenland* was a government-funded mission to explore and record the zoological, geological, and ethnographic features of the far North. Today, its zoological plates are regarded as some of the finest examples of 19th-century French natural history illustration. Condition: Very good condition. Some light age-related foxing in the margins, with a clean image area and strong plate mark. Colors remain vivid. No tears or repairs noted. Framing tips: This plate would present beautifully in a classic black or dark oak frame with an ivory or off-white mat. A subtle highlight mat in slate or pale olive can draw out the silver and green tones of the fish. Museum-quality glazing is recommended to protect the hand coloring. See less