C. Last, Sloth, Galago, and Lemur Species, Lithographs, 1836, Set of 2

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This combined image depicts two lithographs of various small primates, drawn by Carel Christiaan Antony Last for Heinrich Rudolf Schinz's … Read more This combined image depicts two lithographs of various small primates, drawn by Carel Christiaan Antony Last for Heinrich Rudolf Schinz's *Volledige Natuurlijke Historie der Zoogdieren* (1836). These prints, published by S. de Visser en Zoon in The Hague, feature intricate details of the animals, which reflect the scientific and artistic precision of 19th-century natural history illustrations. The first lithograph (Pl. 39) includes four distinct primate species: the *Pukan of Traaglooper* (Sloth), the *Bruinhandige Woeldier* (Brown-handed Lemur), the *Kortstaartig Reuzidier* (Short-tailed Lemur), and the *Senegal Galago*. Each animal is shown in naturalistic postures, providing insight into their behavior and physical characteristics. The sloth’s slow and relaxed posture, along with the attentiveness of the galago, highlight the diversity in species representation. The second lithograph (Pl. 40) depicts three species of *Rolstaartdier* (Coiled-tailed Lemurs), identified as large, medium, and small. These animals are portrayed with their distinctive curled tails, adding a sense of continuity between the various poses. The careful attention to texture and detail emphasizes their characteristic features, creating a vivid representation of these lemur species. These illustrations, blending artistry and scientific accuracy, were part of a larger effort to catalog the diverse species of the animal kingdom for European audiences. Each print served both as an educational tool and a decorative object, valued for its aesthetic as much as for its scientific contribution. See less