Matthäus Merian the Elder
Tab. LI. 'Leonea' 'Leo'
1560

Name: Tab. LI. 'Leonea' 'Leo'
Brand: Matthäus Merian the Elder
Price: 787 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

MATTHAUS MERIAN, the Elder (1593-1650) MATTHAUS MERIAN, the Younger (1621 – 1687) Theatrum universale omnium Animalium. Frankfurt, 1650. Engraving with Later Hand-Color. 14.75” x 9”. 260 Plates. Matthew Merian was one of the most prolifically published men of his time. Topography, cartography, zoology and botany were among his studies and he produced volumes in each subject. Each of his works is identifiable by intense detailing and an unerring sense of composition. Fond of architecture, Merian's works, if not completely dedicated to the subject, made use of the juxtaposition of his other studies against background or foreground scenes depicting the buildings and gardens he much loved to illustrate. Merian married botanist Theodore de Bry's daughter in Frankfurt in 1624 and also acquired his business. Merian produced de Bry's Florilegium Renovatum in 1641. A noted landscape artist and engraver, Merian was also the father of Maria Sibylla Merian, the noted entomologist and botanical artist. His son Matthew the Younger was a portrait painter, etcher and engraver who traveled in his youth to London, Paris, Italy and Nuremberg. Upon the death of Matthew the Elder, Matthew the Younger took over the management of his workshop which was renowned for producing engraved views and plans of European town and cities. Succesive generations of 17th Century published illustrators! Theatrum universale…. was divided into six main sections: fish, birds, quadrupeds, mollusks and crustaceans, terrestrial and aquatic insects, and snakes. As it was published prior to Caroulus Linneaus’ mid-eighteenth century system of classification, some of the families differ greatly from those know today. While some of the creatures had been drawn from life, it is those illustrations derived from myth and fancy which capture the excitement and horror of early exploration. These imaginary beasts include a griffin, phoenix, unicorn, mermaid, dragon and sea monster. Reference: C. Nissen. Die Botanische. Stuggart, 1966. C. Grafton. 1300 Real and Fanciful Animals… New York, 1998.

Creator:

Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593 - 1650, German)

Creation Year:

1560

Dimensions:

Height: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)

Medium:

Laid Paper,Rag Paper

Period:

18th Century and Earlier

Condition:

Wonderful example of 17th century natural history. Full margins. Clean, crisp image.