Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Antique Print of the Opah or Moonfish – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845

$681.79
£506.68
€580
CA$936.27
A$1,053.93
CHF 557.57
MX$13,072.74
NOK 6,889.37
SEK 6,589.08
DKK 4,413.63
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Antique Print of the Opah (Lampris guttatus) – Hand-Colored French Lithograph, 1845 This stunning hand-colored lithograph features Le Lampris Tacheté (Lampris guttatus), known in English as the Opah or Moonfish. The print was published in Paris in 1845 as part of the French scientific expedition Voyage en Islande et au Groenland, a foundational natural history work documenting Arctic and North Atlantic marine life. The Opah is depicted in brilliant hues of metallic grey and soft pink, with striking crimson-red fins and tail. Its disc-shaped, laterally compressed body and spotted flanks are rendered with exceptional detail, capturing the fish’s iridescent coloration and graceful form. The large, round eye and fleshy lips are anatomically accurate and full of character, while the red pectoral and caudal fins curve elegantly along the page. This species, found in deep tropical and temperate waters around the globe, is the only known fully warm-blooded fish. Though unknown in this regard in the 19th century, its unique physiology, open ocean habitat, and elusive behavior made it a prized subject for early zoologists. Two scientific inset drawings appear below the fish: * A simplified outline of the body shape * A frontal anatomical view of the head and jaw structure This is plate “Poissons Pl. 30,” drawn by Louis Bévalet, engraved by H. Blanchard, and printed by Arthus Bertrand. It exemplifies the refined style and scientific purpose of French expeditionary art, uniting zoological precision with decorative grace. The Voyage en Islande et au Groenland remains a landmark in 19th-century marine science and publishing, and prints such as this are highly collectible for their aesthetic value and historical importance. Condition: Good condition. Minimal foxing. The colors remain vivid, with a strong plate impression. No tears, repairs, or staining affecting the image area. Framing tips: This print pairs beautifully with a gold or dark wood frame and a white or blush-toned mat to highlight the red and pink accents. Ideal for coastal interiors, natural history collections, or contemporary gallery walls. Use UV-protective glazing to preserve the luminous hand coloring.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.39 in (34 cm)Width: 19.18 in (48.7 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1845
  • Condition:
    Good condition. Minimal foxing. The colors remain vivid, with a strong plate impression. No tears, repairs, or staining affecting the image area.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-099381stDibs: LU3054345533722

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Print of the Anglerfish or Monkfish – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of the Anglerfish or Monkfish – Hand-Colored French Lithograph, 1845 This remarkable hand-colored lithograph features La Baudroie (Lophius Piscatorius), commonly known...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the Marquises Turbot – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of the Marquises Turbot (Passer marchionessarum) – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1846 This beautifully detailed hand-colored lithograph depicts Le Turbot des Marquises (Pas...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the Icelandic Flounder – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of the Icelandic Flounder (Pleuronectes superciliaris) – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845 This elegant hand-colored lithograph features La Pole (Pleuronectes superciliari...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the King Angelfish – Hand-Colored French Lithograph, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of the King Angelfish (Holacanthus Passer) – Hand-Colored French Lithograph, 1846 This vibrant and finely hand-colored lithograph features Holacanthus passer, commonly...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Ribbonfish Print – Hand-Colored Lithograph of Trachypterus Bogmarus 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of the Ribbonfish (Trachypterus Bogmarus) – Paris, 1845 This striking hand-colored lithograph features Le Trachiptère Bogmare (Trachypterus bogmarus), a rare deep-sea ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Gaimard’s Skate – Raia gaimardi – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print of Gaimard’s Skate – Raia gaimardi – Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1845 This beautifully hand-colored lithograph depicts *Raia gaimardi*, commonly referred to as Gaimard’s ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Deep Black Antique Vase Print 3 of 4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of four, representing an ancient Italian roman Vase-Urn of Villa Mattei in Rome. It is printed with an anti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Deep Black Antique Vase Print 4 of 4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of four, representing an ancient Italian roman Vase which was found in a garden in Trastevere in Rome. It i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Deep Black Antique Vase Print 2 of 4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of four, representing an ancient Italian roman vase of Musei Capitolini in Rome. It is printed with an anti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Deep Black Antique Vase Print 1 of 4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of four, representing an ancient Italian roman vase of Villa Ghigi. It is printed with an antique press and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Pompeian Red Antique Vase Print 1 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of two, representing 2 different views of an ancient Italian vase of Villa Ghigi. It is printed with an antique press and colored by our best...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Hand Colored Pompeian Red Antique Vase Print 2 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful print that is part of a series of two, representing 2 different views of an ancient Italian vase of Villa Ghigi. It is printed with an antique press and colored by our best...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Paper