Bévalet, Capelin & Smelt from Gaimard Voyage, 1842, Print

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Antique Print of Capelin and Smelt – Gaimard, 1842 This fine hand-colored lithograph depicts two important North Atlantic fish species: … Read more Antique Print of Capelin and Smelt – Gaimard, 1842 This fine hand-colored lithograph depicts two important North Atlantic fish species: the Capelin (Mallotus villosus, top) and the Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus, bottom). Both species played a vital role in the subsistence and trade economies of Iceland and Greenland during the 19th century. The Capelin, with its slender form and iridescent tones, is shown in profile with delicate detail, while the Smelt is depicted below with its open mouth, sharp teeth, and elongated body. An additional anatomical vignette between the two figures illustrates the head of the Smelt, emphasizing the scientific rigor of the work. Published in Voyage en Islande et au Groenland (Paris, 1842), this plate belongs to the zoological section of Paul Gaimard’s expedition account. Although the mission of the 1835 expedition was to search for Jean de Blosseville’s lost Arctic voyage, its true outcome was an encyclopedic survey of Iceland and Greenland, covering geology, ethnography, landscapes, and natural history. The fish plates, in particular, represent some of the earliest and most detailed scientific illustrations of marine species native to the North Atlantic. The drawings were made by Louis Bévalet, a natural history artist renowned for his precise and elegant renderings, and lithographed by J. Bernard, one of Paris’s foremost printers of the period. The vivid hand coloring emphasizes subtle differences in the scales, fins, and anatomical features of each species, balancing artistry with scientific accuracy. Collectors highly prize these prints today for their beauty, rarity, and importance in the history of Arctic exploration and zoological illustration. Condition report: Good impression with original hand coloring. Wide margins with light age toning and scattered foxing, mainly in the outer sheet, leaving the images clear and vibrant. Plate mark visible. Framing tips: Best presented in a simple black or walnut frame with a cream or ivory mat to emphasize the delicate colors. A double mat with a fine inner line of sea-green or pale blue can add a subtle maritime touch. Technique: Hand-colored lithograph Maker: Drawn by Louis Bévalet, lithographed by J. Bernard – from Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842 See less