Bilder Robert Benard (1734–1777) – Deep-Sea and Drift Net Fishing – Engraving (1774)

Beskrivning

"Pêches aux Filets" This engraving provides a detailed technical study of maritime fishing apparatus used in the eighteenth century. The upper register features two primary diagrams: Figure 1 depicts a sailing vessel, possibly a tartane, deploying a large "bœuf" or trawl net that descends into the water column to capture fish in its weighted belly. The lower register focuses on a stationary or drift net positioned along the seabed, showing how weights and lines are used to maintain the net's structure against underwater currents. Each component is meticulously labeled with letters (A through N) to correspond with descriptive text in the original publication. This plate was published in the French edition of the voyages of discovery, translated and compiled by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Suard and printed in Paris.

Robert Benard was a prolific French engraver who served as the director of the engraving department for the monumental Diderot Encyclopédie. He specialized in technical and scientific illustration, personally supervising the production of over 2,000 plates that documented industrial processes, mechanical inventions, and geographic discoveries. Benard's work is defined by its extreme clarity and rigorous attention to detail, which was essential for communicating complex engineering and cartographic data to an Enlightenment audience. His contributions were fundamental to the success of major scientific publications of the eighteenth century, and his style set an international standard for technical engraving.

Artist or Maker: Robert Benard.

Dimensions: Approximately 31 cm x 23 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1774.

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.