143 Conrad Gessner (1516–1565) – History of Animals Book II: Of Oviparous Quadrupeds – Woodcut (1554)
This original woodcut print is taken from "History of Animals Book II: Of Oviparous Quadrupeds" by Conrad Gessner. The page features a detailed illustration of a lizard, specifically identified as "DE CHALCIDE SEV CHALCIDICA LACERTA." Gessner's "Historiae Animalium" is considered one of the foundational works of modern zoology, a vast encyclopedic compilation that aimed to describe all known animals, their habitats, behaviors, and their uses in medicine and folklore. This volume, published in 1554, focuses on egg-laying quadrupeds and showcases the remarkable scholarship and illustrative detail characteristic of Renaissance natural history.
Conrad Gessner (1516–1565) was a prodigious Swiss polymath, naturalist, bibliographer, and physician, often referred to as the "father of modern bibliography" and a pioneering figure in zoology. His monumental "Historiae Animalium" (1551–1558), a five-volume work, was an attempt to describe all animals known at the time and served as a standard zoological reference for centuries. Gessner's rigorous approach to compiling and classifying knowledge significantly influenced the development of scientific thought during the Renaissance.
Artist or Maker: Conrad Gessner
Dimensions: Approximately 38 cm x 24 cm (page size)
Medium: Woodcut
Date: 1554
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.
| Estimate | 200 - 300 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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