Bertuch, Four Seals, 1800, Engraving

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Original antique print of four seals by bertuch, c. 1800 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting four species and varieties … Read more Original antique print of four seals by bertuch, c. 1800 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting four species and varieties of seals, published in friedrich justin bertuch’s celebrated “bilderbuch für kinder” around the beginning of the 19th century. The plate is titled “amphibien xvi / amphibies xvi” and presents four individually numbered seals resting on rocky shores. The animals display remarkably different appearances, from the large pale seal occupying the lower part of the composition to the smaller dark and spotted specimens above. The illustrations reflect the developing european knowledge of seals and other marine mammals during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At the time, the term “amphibian” was used much more broadly than in modern zoology and could include mammals such as seals that were adapted to life both in the water and on land. The animals are finely engraved and enhanced with original hand coloring in restrained shades of gray, black, ochre, green and brown. Their individual poses and small rocky settings make this a particularly attractive early marine natural-history plate. The engraving bears the signature “j. H. Schmuzer” at lower left. 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 the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Published in weimar from 1790 onward, the work contained hundreds of finely engraved and hand-colored plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity, costumes and mythology. Creator: friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) engraver: j. H. Schmuzer source: bilderbuch für kinder plate: amphibien xvi / amphibies xvi place of publication: weimar, germany date of manufacture: circa 1800 period: 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. Light age-related toning, scattered minor spotting and occasional handling marks. Minor marginal wear. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition. Please note: this is an original antique print from circa 1800, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only. Keywords: antique seal print, seal engraving, four seals, marine mammal print, antique marine life, ocean animal print, natural history print, zoological engraving, bertuch print, friedrich justin bertuch, j. H. Schmuzer, hand colored engraving, marine zoology, scientific illustration, circa 1800 See less