4553 François Valentijn (1666–1727) – Marine Fishes of the East Indies – Copperplate Engraving – 1724
This antique copperplate engraving features a striking double-register composition of tropical fish from the seas around the East Indies. The upper panel shows a dramatic flying gurnard in motion above a group of armored and spotted reef fish lying on a coastal terrain. The lower panel displays an assemblage of exotic species, including puffers, scorpionfish, and intricately patterned specimens, arranged on the shore with a calm sea and reeds in the background. These illustrations come from François Valentijn’s monumental Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, one of the most significant early European works on Southeast Asian natural history.
François Valentijn (1666–1727) served as a chaplain and scholar in the Dutch East Indies and became one of the most prominent chroniclers of the VOC period. His writings and illustrations captured the natural richness of the region, documenting both real and occasionally imagined creatures with a mixture of curiosity and baroque theatricality. His work remains a valuable visual record of early modern zoological knowledge.
Artist or Maker:
François Valentijn
Dimensions:
approx. 30 cm x 20 cm
Medium:
Copperplate Engraving
Date:
1724
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.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 25% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
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