Louis Bévalet and H. Blanchard, Arctic Chimaera Fish, France, 1845, Paper

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This rare hand-colored lithograph features Chimaera Monstrosa, also known as the Arctic or Rabbit Fish, a deep-sea cartilaginous species belonging … Read more This rare hand-colored lithograph features Chimaera Monstrosa, also known as the Arctic or Rabbit Fish, a deep-sea cartilaginous species belonging to the ancient order Chimaeriformes. The illustration is from Voyage en Islande et au Groenland, a French natural history expedition published in Paris by Arthus Bertrand in 1845.

These diagrams reflect the 19th-century scientific focus on comparative anatomy, and the print’s precise labeling and careful hand-coloring demonstrate the high quality of French expeditionary zoological plates. This plate is labeled "Poissons Pl. 24" and was drawn by Louis Bévalet, engraved by H. Blanchard, and published under the supervision of the French government’s scientific authorities. These plates were produced during a period of intense exploration and classification of marine life in Arctic waters. The Voyage en Islande et au Groenland* was part of France’s broader scientific efforts in the North Atlantic, and its zoological plates are now highly sought after by collectors of antique natural history.

Condition: Very good condition. Some mild age-related foxing in the margins and faint toning to the sheet. Plate impression strong. No tears or repairs. See less