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Antique Ichthyology Print, Norway Redfish & Sculpin from Gaimard, 1842
€760 ($850, £645, €760)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1842
- Size
- 21.3 × 13.8 in (54 × 35 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Condition report: Strong impression with excellent original hand coloring. Wide margins with noticeable foxing, especially in the background, but the figures remain sharp and vibrant. Plate mark visible.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Section
- Fish and shells
- Reference
- f_27386022
- Color
- Hand colored
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Antique Print of Norway Redfish and Sculpin, Gaimard, 1842
Description:
This hand-colored lithograph illustrates two remarkable fish species from the North Atlantic: the Norway Redfish (Sebastes norvegicus, here Sebastes norvegicus or Sebastes viviparus, top) and the Sculpin (Cottus scorpius*, bottom). These species, typical of Icelandic and Greenlandic waters, are presented with striking detail and scientific precision.
At the top, the Norway Redfish is shown with its distinctive deep red body, large eyes, and spiny dorsal fin, vividly colored to reflect its natural appearance. Below, the Sculpin is depicted with its broad head, mottled body, and fan-like fins, rendered in darker tones with remarkable attention to texture and patterning. A supplementary outline drawing emphasizes its anatomical features, highlighting the zoological intent of the plate.
Published in Voyage en Islande et au Groenland (Paris, 1842), this work documents Paul Gaimard’s 1835 expedition, originally tasked with searching for Jean de Blosseville’s lost voyage. Instead, the expedition produced a comprehensive scientific survey of Iceland and Greenland, with detailed illustrations of natural history, ethnography, and geography. The fish plates are among the most vivid and scientifically important images in the zoological section, bridging art and science.
This plate was drawn by Louis Bévalet, a noted natural history artist, and lithographed by J. Bernard, with hand coloring applied to enhance anatomical accuracy. Their collaboration ensured that the illustrations served both scientific and aesthetic purposes, making them highly desirable for collectors of 19th-century natural history art.
Condition report: Strong impression with excellent original hand coloring. Wide margins with noticeable foxing, especially in the background, but the figures remain sharp and vibrant. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips: A black or walnut frame paired with an ivory or light gray mat will emphasize the bold colors of the fish. For a more refined touch, a gilt inner fillet can add elegance while complementing the richness of the hand coloring.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Drawn by Louis Bévalet, lithographed by J. Bernard, from Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842
