164 Marcus Elieser Bloch – Chaetodon Setifer & Chaetodon Falcula - Engraving
This remarkable hand-coloured copperplate engraving illustrates two species of butterflyfish: Chaetodon setifer (The Bristle-Chetodon) and Chaetodon falcula (The Sickle-Chetodon). The fish are rendered with anatomical precision and luminous colouring, capturing their distinctive fin shapes, patterns, and coral reef morphology. The primary subject is shown in full profile, with an auxiliary anatomical view presented in monochrome above. The plate forms part of the monumental work Ichthyologie, published in twelve volumes between 1785 and 1797.
Marcus Elieser Bloch was a German physician and ichthyologist whose Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische and Ichthyologie represent foundational achievements in the history of scientific illustration. His work combined taxonomic clarity with baroque visual elegance, setting new standards for natural history publishing in the Enlightenment era. Bloch’s fishes remain among the most celebrated and desirable zoological engravings of the 18th century.
Artist or Maker:
Marcus Elieser Bloch
Dimensions:
27 cm x 46 cm
Medium:
Hand-Coloured 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.
| Estimate | 500 - 700 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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