Unknown

Meerwasser - Aquarium, German antique underwater sea life engraving

1895

'Algen I' (Seaweeds) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Central vertical fold as issued. 240mm by 305mm (sheet)

'Crustacea' Copper-line engraving with original hand-colouring. From Baron Georges Cuvier's (1769-1832) 'Animal Kingdom', published in London in 1837. 210mm by 130mm (sheet)

Antique Chromolithograph of Marine Life with Coral, Fish, and Sea Creatures, ca. 1890 This engaging and finely detailed chromolithograph, titled “Das Leben im Meere” (Life in the Sea), dates to around 1890 and illustrates a vibrant array of marine animals in their underwater habitat. Rendered in striking full color, this educational plate combines artistic beauty with scientific accuracy, representative of late 19th-century natural history imagery used in schools, encyclopedias, and popular science publications. The composition features an impressive diversity of sea creatures and plant life, carefully labeled with corresponding letters. In the foreground, prominent figures include a large green lobster (g. Hummer), a sea turtle (a. Meer­schild­kröte), and a large crab (e. Großer Taschenkrebs), all shown in highly naturalistic detail. Surrounding them are other fascinating marine organisms such as a squid (h. Tintenfisch), starfish (k. Seesterne), shrimp (f. Garneele), sea urchins (i. Seeigel), sea anemones (m. Seeanemonen), jellyfish (l. Schirmquallen), and colorful coral (n. Edelkoralle). Also depicted are a seahorse (d. Seepferdchen), a flatfish or sole (b. Goldbutte), and a herring (c. Hering), among others. Beyond the foreground, the underwater world fades into an atmospheric gradient, with swaying sea plants, drifting jellyfish, and distant ships visible at the water’s surface. The overall composition is both decorative and informative, capturing the sense of wonder and discovery associated with marine biology during the 19th century—a period of growing interest in the natural sciences. Such prints were prized not only for their educational value but also as art objects. Today, this image appeals to collectors of antique scientific illustrations...

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