Bertuch, Sperm Whale and North Atlantic Whales, 1800, Engraving

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Original antique print of sperm whale and north atlantic whales by bertuch, c.1800 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting four … Read more Original antique print of sperm whale and north atlantic whales by bertuch, c.1800 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting four remarkable early representations of whales, published in friedrich justin bertuch’s celebrated “bilderbuch für kinder” around the turn of the 19th century. The plate is titled “fische xxi / poissons xxi” and belongs to bertuch’s series devoted to fishes and marine animals. The historical accompanying s identify the subjects as the pottfisch (sperm whale), nordkaper (north atlantic right whale) and kleinauge, illustrating different whale forms as they were understood by european naturalists around 1800. The four whales are represented individually in profile, surrounded by waves and rocky coastal settings. Their exaggerated heads, mouths, blowholes and body proportions provide a fascinating insight into early european attempts to depict these enormous animals at a time when direct observation of living whales was extremely difficult. The sperm whale is represented with the massive head and comparatively narrow lower jaw characteristic of the species. The north atlantic right whale was historically one of the most important animals of the european whaling industry and was hunted extensively for its oil and baleen. Particularly fascinating are the visible jets emerging from the blowholes of several animals. Early natural-history illustrations often represented whale breathing as fountains or jets of water, contributing to the distinctive appearance of historical cetacean imagery. Rather than being anatomically precise by modern standards, the animals reflect information assembled from stranded specimens, whalers, sailors, travelers and earlier natural-history publications. This gives the engraving particular interest as a document of the developing science of cetology. The restrained original hand coloring in shades of black, gray, brown and red complements the finely engraved waves and coastal settings. Friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) was a german publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “bilderbuch für kinder” (picture book for children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of its period. Published in weimar from 1790 onward, the work eventually comprised more than a thousand plates covering zoology, botany, geography, science, technology, antiquity, costumes and many other subjects. This particular plate is documented as no. 53 of volume ii and as plate xxi within the section devoted to fishes. ([iberlibro (es)][1]) creator: friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) source: bilderbuch für kinder plate: fische xxi / poissons xxi historical subjects: sperm whale (pottfisch) north atlantic right whale (nordkaper) kleinauge / historical whale type place of publication: weimar, germany date of manufacture: circa 1800 period: late 18th / early 19th century style: neoclassical – in the period of medium: original hand-colored copper engraving on paper condition: good. Wear consistent with age and use. General age-related toning and scattered spotting and marks. Some marginal wear and small edge imperfections, including irregularity toward the upper right margin. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition. Please note: this is an original antique engraving from around 1800, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only. Other companion whale, fish and natural-history plates from bertuch’s “bilderbuch für kinder” are also available separately. Keywords: antique whale print, sperm whale print, pottfisch, north atlantic right whale, nordkaper, antique cetacean print, whale engraving, whaling history, maritime print, marine mammal print, ocean decor, early cetology, natural history print, bertuch print, friedrich justin bertuch, hand colored engraving, antique marine life, circa 1800 See less