Bilder Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723–1799) – Pleuronectes Zebra – Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving – 1785–1797

Beskrivning

This hand-colored copperplate engraving represents Pleuronectes Zebra, a strikingly patterned flatfish depicted with exceptional precision and vibrancy. The composition emphasizes the fish’s compressed, oval body with alternating brown and cream stripes and fine fin details. This specimen was featured in Bloch’s monumental Ichthyologie, ou Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des poissons, one of the most ambitious ichthyological publications of the Enlightenment era. The plate is bordered by a fine ruled frame with an inscription naming the species in Latin, French, and German, underscoring the international scope of Bloch’s scientific work.

Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723–1799) was a German-Jewish physician and naturalist renowned for his exhaustive studies in ichthyology. Between 1782 and 1795, he published a twelve-volume series documenting over 1,500 species of fish, many of them illustrated for the first time. Bloch’s scientific rigor, combined with his collaboration with skilled engravers and colorists, helped establish modern fish taxonomy. His works remain among the most visually captivating and scientifically valuable ichthyological atlases ever produced.

Artist or Maker: Marcus Elieser Bloch

Dimensions: 41 x 27 cm

Medium: Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving

Date: 1785–1797

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.