Original Antique Print of Exotic Lizards and Flying Dragon by Bertuch, c. 1800

Original Antique Print of Exotic Lizards and Flying Dragon by Bertuch, c. 1800

Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting three remarkable exotic lizards, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” around the beginning of the 19th century.

The plate is titled “Amphibien XII / Amphibies XII” and presents three unusual reptiles individually numbered Fig. 1–3.

Particularly striking is Fig. 3, a so-called flying dragon or flying lizard, shown with its characteristic wing-like membranes extended from the sides of its body. These remarkable reptiles became popular subjects in early European natural-history publications because of their unusual ability to glide between trees.

The two larger lizards above are equally dramatically represented, with elongated tails, prominent claws and distinctive markings. The animals are finely engraved and enhanced with original hand coloring in black, brown, green, red and ochre.

The plate bears the engraved inscription “Jacob Hauer Schmuzer” at lower right.

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Published in Weimar from 1790 onward, the work contained hundreds of finely engraved and hand-colored plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity, costumes and mythology.

An unusual and highly decorative early zoological print, particularly appealing to collectors of reptiles, natural history and early scientific illustration.

Creator:

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)

Engraver:

Jacob Hauer Schmuzer

Source:

Bilderbuch für Kinder

Plate:

Amphibien XII / Amphibies XII

Place of Publication:

Weimar, Germany

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1800

Period:

Early 19th Century

Style:

Neoclassical, In the Period of

Medium:

Original hand-colored copper engraving on paper

Condition:

Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Light age-related toning and occasional minor spotting. Some marginal wear and small edge imperfections, particularly along the right edge. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.

Please note:

This is an original antique print from circa 1800, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.

Keywords:

antique lizard print, flying dragon lizard, flying lizard, Draco lizard, exotic reptiles, antique reptile print, lizard engraving, herpetology print, Bertuch print, Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Jacob Schmuzer, natural history print, zoological engraving, hand colored engraving, scientific illustration, circa 1800