About this sheet
Original Antique Botanical Print of Two Remarkable Seaweeds by Bertuch, 1802
Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting two remarkable species of seaweed, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” in Weimar in 1802.
The plate is titled “Pflanzen XC / Plantes XC” and illustrates two dramatically contrasting forms of marine vegetation.
Fig. 1 depicts the extraordinary Faden-Tang, historically identified as Fucus filum. The plant consists of an intricate mass of extremely fine, curling, thread-like branches emerging from a common stem. Bertuch described these filaments as resembling tangled threads and recorded the species as occurring in the China Sea.
Fig. 2 depicts the Finger-Tang or digitated seaweed, historically identified as Fucus digitatus. In striking contrast to the delicate filaments of Fig. 1, this species has a substantial stem terminating in broad, finger-like fronds and a root-like holdfast.
Bertuch described the latter as one of the largest seaweeds of its type and recorded it from the coasts of the Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway and Iceland. He also noted its practical use as animal fodder.
The contrast between the almost abstract tangle of fine lines on the left and the sculptural, antler-like form on the right gives this plate an unusually modern decorative quality despite its publication more than two centuries ago.
The engraving is delicately enhanced with original hand coloring in restrained shades of green and brown.
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Published in Weimar from 1790 onward, it contained hundreds of engraved and hand-colored plates devoted to natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity and numerous other subjects.
Creator:
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)
Source:
Bilderbuch für Kinder
Plate:
Pflanzen XC / Plantes XC
Subjects:
Faden-Tang (Fucus filum) and Finger-Tang (Fucus digitatus)
Place of Publication:
Weimar, Germany
Date of Manufacture:
1802
Period:
Early 19th Century
Style:
Neoclassical – In the Period of
Medium:
Original hand-colored copper engraving on paper
Condition:
Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Light age-related toning and scattered minor spotting and marks. Minor marginal wear. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.
Please note:
This is an original antique print from 1802, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Other companion botanical and natural-history plates from Bertuch’s “Bilderbuch für Kinder” are also available separately.
