Items Similar to Leviathan of the Depths: The Sperm Whale in 18th Century Scientific Art
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Leviathan of the Depths: The Sperm Whale in 18th Century Scientific Art
About the Item
The illustration features the species labeled as "Physeter microcephalus Linn.," historically referred to with this name but now known commonly as the sperm whale. This depiction, given its accuracy and detail, was likely part of an educational or scientific series aimed at documenting various marine species.
Description of the Illustration
The sperm whale is depicted with notable attention to its distinct body shape and features, such as the large, block-shaped head which is characteristic of the species. The coloration is muted, reflecting the typical dark grey to black hues of the sperm whale.
The background includes a detailed portrayal of a rocky underwater seascape with algae and other marine plants, suggesting the deep ocean habitats where these whales are typically found. The surface and spray around the whale add a dynamic element, capturing the moment of the whale at or near the surface.
This hand-colored engraving combines precise line work with subtle coloring, a technique that enhances the scientific utility of the piece while also providing aesthetic appeal.
Description:
Venture into the mysterious world of the deep sea with this striking 18th to 19th-century illustration of the sperm whale, historically referred to as Physeter microcephalus. This piece is from the distinguished series "Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen," known for its precise and detailed natural history illustrations.
This entry aims to highlight the illustration's value as a work of art and a piece of scientific heritage, appealing to a broad audience interested in natural history, marine biology, and antique scientific illustrations.
Provenance:
- Authors: Associated with respected naturalists of the time, such as Georg August Goldfuss, Johann Christian Daniel Schreber, and Andreas Johann Wagner.
- Publication Date: Between 1774 and 1846.
- Source: From "Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen," a critical work in the development of mammalian studies.
- Medium: Hand-colored engraving.
Collector's Note:
This print is a treasure for collectors interested in marine life, historical artwork, and the development of zoological sciences. It offers a window into the artistic and scientific endeavors of the late Enlightenment and Victorian periods, celebrating the orca's iconic status in marine ecology.
This entry not only highlights the illustration's beauty and historical importance but also underscores its scientific and educational significance, appealing to a broad audience of collectors, historians, and marine enthusiasts.
- Dimensions:Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1770-1779
- Date of Manufacture:1775
- Condition:Good. Original old handcoloring on handpressed paper. Some soiling overall due to age and handling, adding to its patina. Left site is rough, but outside of the plate mark. One brown spot just below title. Study the images carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13674-401stDibs: LU3054341193602
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,446 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllNorthern Bottlenose Whale: Classic 18th-19th Century Scientific Illustration
Located in Langweer, NL
"Northern Bottlenose Whale: Classic 18th-19th Century Scientific Illustration"
Discover a piece of natural history with this exquisite illustration of the Northern Bottlenose Whale (*Hyperoodon ampullatus*, synonymously known as *Delphinus edentulus*), masterfully depicted by noted naturalists Goldfuss, Schreber, and Wagner. This print originates from the esteemed work, *Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen*, published between 1774 and 1846.
This artwork not only captures the majestic form of one of the deep-sea's most intriguing denizens but also embodies the scientific spirit of the Enlightenment and early Victorian era. The illustration, with its precise detailing and lifelike portrayal, serves as an educational tool and a decorative piece, appealing to enthusiasts of marine biology, historical artwork, and antique scientific illustrations...
Category
Antique 1770s Prints
Materials
Paper
$204 Sale Price
20% Off
Monarch of the Depths: Historical Depiction of Delphinus Orca or Killer Whale
Located in Langweer, NL
The "Delphinus Orca," depicting what is more commonly known today as the orca or killer whale (*Orcinus orca*). This particular image for sale is a beautiful example of early scienti...
Category
Antique 1770s Prints
Materials
Paper
$204 Sale Price
20% Off
Maritime Wonders: Beached Leviathans of the 19th Century in Siberia, circa 1850
Located in Langweer, NL
The text in the image is in Italian:
"Balena spinta sulle coste della Siberia."
The phrase mean "Whale stranded on the coasts of Siberia."
The image is a lithograph created by B...
Category
Antique 1850s Prints
Materials
Paper
$83 Sale Price
20% Off
Manufacture of Fish Hooks in the 18th Century Engraved, 1793
Located in Langweer, NL
This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793.
This engraving is part of the "...
Category
Antique 1790s Prints
Materials
Paper
Pl. 87 Antique Print of Decorative Art in the 18th Century by Racinet, 1869
Located in Langweer, NL
Old print of decorative art in the 18th century. This print originates from 'L'Ornement polychrome'. A beautiful work containing about 2000 patterns of all the styles of Art old and ...
Category
Antique 19th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
Pl. 88 Antique Print of Decorative Art in the 18th Century by Racinet, 1869
Located in Langweer, NL
Old print of decorative art in the 18th century. This print originates from 'L'Ornement polychrome'. A beautiful work containing about 2000 patterns of all the styles of Art old and ...
Category
Antique 19th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
18th Century Engraving of Sperm Whales, by Bertuch, 1790
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th Century Engraving of Sperm Whales, by Bertuch, 1790, an engraved zoological plate depicting what was thought to be two species of Sperm Whale (Physeter), the Cylindrical Pot-Wha...
Category
Antique 1790s German Other Prints
Materials
Paper
Early 18th Century Engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720
Located in Nantucket, MA
Very early 18th century Dutch woodblock engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720, a hand colored engraving illustrating the Dutch whaling flee...
Category
Antique 1720s Dutch Baroque Prints
Materials
Paper
"Peche au Cachalot" (Sperm Whale Fishing), Rare Lithograph by Lebreton
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Peche au Cachalot" (Sperm whale fishing)
Original colored lithograph enhanced with watercolor by Louis Lebreton (? - 1866).
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Prints
Materials
Paper
18th Century Map of Paris
Located in Washington, DC
18th century map of Paris.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Prints
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Colored Lithograph of Sperm Whaling with Its Varieties, 1870
By Benjamin Russell
Located in Nantucket, MA
Fine colored lithograph of Sperm Whaling with its Varieties, after Original by Benjamin Russell (New Bedford: 1804-1885), Published by John Henry Bu...
Category
Antique 1870s American Other Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique 18th Century Map of the Province of Pensilvania 'Pennsylvania State'
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique of the colony of Pennsylvania.
Noted at the top of the sheet as a 'Map of the province of Pensilvania'.
This undated and anonymous map is thought to be from the Gentleman's Magazine, London, circa 1775, although the general appearance could date it to the 1760's.
The southern boundary reflects the Mason-Dixon survey (1768), the western boundary is placed just west of Pittsburgh, and the northern boundary is not marked.
The map has a number of reference points that likely refer to companion text and appear to be connected to boundaries. The western and southern boundaries are marked Q, R, S, for example. A diagonal line runs from the Susquehanna R to the Lake Erie P. A broken line marked by many letters A, B, N, O, etc., appears in the east.
There are no latitude or longitude markings, blank verso.
Framed in a shaped contemporary gilt wooden frame and matted under a cream colored matte.
Bearing an old Graham Arader Gallery...
Category
Antique 18th Century British American Colonial Maps
Materials
Paper
