Bilder George Shaw (1751–1813) – The Lump Fish – Engraving (1807)

Beskrivning

"The Lump Fish" illustrates the distinctive profile of a lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), emphasizing its stout, globe-like body and the rows of bony tubercles along its sides. This engraving is from the monumental work General Zoology, or Systematic Natural History, published in London in 1807. The publication is historically significant as a comprehensive attempt to document and classify the animal kingdom following the Linnaean system, combining accessible English descriptions with technically precise copperplate illustrations for the British scientific community.

George Shaw was a prominent English botanist and zoologist who served as the keeper of the natural history department at the British Museum. He was a prolific author and a founding member of the Linnean Society, dedicated to the rigorous categorization of global species. His multi-volume General Zoology became a definitive reference of the early nineteenth century, noted for incorporating many species recently discovered during European maritime expeditions. Shaw's work was pivotal in bridging the gap between specialized scientific inquiry and the broader public's interest in the natural world.

Artist or Maker: George Shaw.

Dimensions: Approximately 21 cm x 13 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1807.

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.