Original Antique Print of Five Exotic Lizards by Bertuch, 1802

Title: Original Antique Print of Exotic Lizards and Reptiles by Bertuch, circa 1805

Description:

Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting five exotic lizards: the Cordyle, Quetz-Paleo, Toad Lizard, Red-throated Lizard and Throat-pouched Lizard. Plate “Amphibien XIX / Amphibies XIX” from Friedrich Justin Bertuch's Bilderbuch für Kinder, Volume IV, published in Weimar in 1802.

The plate is headed “Amphibien XIX.” and “Amphibies XIX.” and presents five individually numbered reptiles in remarkably detailed profile. The animals include several unusual lizards with distinctive scales, tails, crests and throat structures, reflecting the rapidly developing European interest in zoology and natural history around 1800.

The five figures are:

Fig. 1, The Cordyle (Lacerta cordylus), the spiny-scaled lizard in the center.

Fig. 2, The Quetz-Paleo (Lacerta azurea), the striking lower animal with the heavily armored, curled tail.

Fig. 3, The Toad Lizard (Die Kröten-Eidechse), the broad-bodied animal in the middle.

Fig. 4, The Red-throated Lizard (Die rothkehlige Eidechse), upper left, with the red throat.

Fig. 5, The Goiter/Throat-pouched Lizard (Die Kropf-Eidechse), upper right, with the conspicuous expanded throat pouch.

The engraving bears the inscription “Jacob Hauer Schweitzer” at lower right. This example belongs to the German-French issue of Bertuch’s natural-history plates; later versions of many of these compositions were also produced with multilingual headings.

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. He is best remembered for his monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children), published in Weimar from 1790 onward. The extensive encyclopedia introduced young readers to natural history, geography, science, technology, costumes and mythology through hundreds of finely engraved and hand-colored illustrations.

An attractive early 19th-century zoological engraving with particularly decorative reptile imagery.

Creator:

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)

Engraver:

Jacob Hauer

Source:

Bilderbuch für Kinder

Plate:

Amphibien XIX / Amphibies XIX

Place of Publication:

Weimar, Germany

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1805

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. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.

Please note:

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

Keywords:

antique reptile print, antique lizard print, Bertuch print, Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Jacob Hauer, natural history print, zoological engraving, hand colored engraving, reptile illustration, lizard engraving, herpetology print, German natural history, scientific illustration, early 19th century print, antique animal art