Details
Description
This pair of richly colored chromolithographs offers striking reconstructions of European life in the Tertiary period and the Ice Age, …
Read more
This pair of richly colored chromolithographs offers striking reconstructions of European life in the Tertiary period and the Ice Age, published in Germany around 1880. These images reflect 19th-century attempts to visualize Earth’s distant past, combining fossil evidence with artistic imagination to produce compelling natural history scenes. The first plate (Plate XVI) presents an idealized view of Tertiary Europe. The foreground is dominated by *Dinotherium*, a giant proboscidean with downward-curving tusks, while *Mastodon longirostris* herds gather in the background. Other species include *Palaeotherium*, *Leptodon*, *Anoplotherium*, *Rhinoceros sansaniensis*, and early horses such as *Hipparion gracile*. Hippopotamuses lounge in a river, while *Helladotherium* and *Pithecus pentelicus* (an extinct primate) appear among lush vegetation. The landscape is bathed in sunset hues, giving a romantic atmosphere to this prehistoric reconstruction. The second plate (Plate XVIII) transports the viewer into the Ice Age of Europe, dramatized with human presence. A group of “Ice Age men” engage in a dangerous confrontation with a cave bear at the entrance of their shelter, representing early human struggle for survival. In the distance, woolly mammoths roam against a glacial backdrop of snow-covered peaks, accompanied by reindeer, musk oxen, and other Ice Age fauna. The composition emphasizes both the harshness of the glacial environment and the adaptability of prehistoric humans. Together, these two plates vividly illustrate the progression of prehistoric life: from the exotic megafauna of the Tertiary period to the Ice Age animals and early humans of Pleistocene Europe. They not only capture scientific ideas of the late 19th century but also reveal the artistic desire to bring ancient worlds to life for a wider audience.
Condition report: Both plates retain excellent color with only light toning and a few scattered spots in the margins. Minor age wear consistent with handling. Chromolithographic impressions remain sharp and vibrant.
Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Unknown, German, c.1880
See less
- Dimensions
- 16.54ʺW × 12.6ʺH
- Country of Origin
- Germany
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Paper
- Condition
- Unknown, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Black
- Condition Notes
- Very Good — This vintage item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use\. Both plates retain … moreVery Good — This vintage item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use\. Both plates retain excellent color with only light toning and a few scattered spots in the margins. Minor age wear consistent with handling. Chromolithographic impressions remain sharp and vibrant. less
Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Related Collections
- Tatiana Alida Original Prints
- Ross Bleckner Original Prints
- Greg Copeland Original Prints
- Clay Walker Original Prints
- Raffia Original Prints
- Leonardo Nierman Original Prints
- Spray Paint Original Prints
- Red Grooms Original Prints
- Balmain Original Prints
- Carrie Bergey Original Prints
- Chaim Gross Original Prints
- Gorman Original Prints
- William Meyerowitz Original Prints
- Botanical Prints
- Japanese Woodblock Prints
- Woodblock Prints
- Bird Prints
- Framed Prints
- Screen Prints
- Black and White Prints
- Thomas McKnight Original Prints
- Classical Greek Original Prints
- Piero Fornasetti Original Prints
- Arthur Secunda Original Prints
- Louis XIV Original Prints