Original Antique Print of Four Slow Worms and Legless Lizards by Bertuch, 1802

Original Antique Print of Four Slow Worms and Legless Lizards by Bertuch, 1802

Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting four varieties of slow worms and snake-like legless reptiles, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” in Weimar in 1802.

The plate is titled “Amphibien XX / Amphibies XX” and depicts four elegantly intertwined specimens. Bertuch identifies them as the Common Slow Worm or Blindworm (Anguis fragilis), Short-bellied Slow Worm (Anguis ventralis), Flat-tailed Slow Worm (Anguis platura), and Variegated Slow Worm (Anguis variegata).

At the time these unusual reptiles were commonly associated with snakes because of their elongated, limbless bodies. The familiar European slow worm, despite its snake-like appearance, is in fact a legless lizard.

Bertuch records a remarkably international distribution for the animals illustrated on this plate, describing examples from Europe and the Old World, Carolina and Virginia, the East Indies and New Holland (Australia).

The intertwined arrangement and strong original hand coloring give the plate considerable decorative appeal, with tones of green, yellow, brown, black and gray.

The engraving bears the 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, it contained hundreds of finely engraved and hand-colored plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, costumes and mythology.

Creator:

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)

Engraver:

Jacob Hauer Schmuzer

Source:

Bilderbuch für Kinder

Plate:

Amphibien XX / Amphibies XX

Place of Publication:

Weimar, Germany

Date of Manufacture:

1802

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, occasional minor spotting and marginal wear. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.

Please note:

This is an original antique print from 1802, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.

Keywords:

antique snake print, slow worm print, blindworm, legless lizard, Anguis fragilis, antique reptile print, serpent engraving, Bertuch print, Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Jacob Schmuzer, natural history print, zoological engraving, hand colored engraving, herpetology print, scientific illustration, 1802 engraving