About this sheet
These antique engravings are illustrations from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793.
These plates are particularly valuable as they capture historical fishing methods, giving insight into the technology and practices of the era. They would have been created by skilled engravers who translated drawings into engravable images, which were then printed and often hand-colored. This process made the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" not only a significant textual resource but also a visual archive of 18th-century life and technology.
The images appear to be historical illustrations related to sea fishing techniques from a time before modern industrial methods.
Image 1: Plate XVI
This image is divided into two main sections with a series of detailed figures at the bottom:
- Top Section: Depicts a coastal scene with six people pulling on lines connected to a triangular structure in the water, likely a method of fishing. There are two boats in the background, one capsized and one upright. The landscape features a rocky outcrop on the right.
- Middle Section: Shows an individual on the shore next to a large fire, with smoke billowing upwards. Behind this person are two large spherical objects on the ground, possibly nets or buoys. In the background, there is a calm sea with a distant shore.
- Bottom Section: Contains labeled figures (Fig. 1 to Fig. 11) illustrating various tools and equipment used in the fishing technique, including hooks, lines, a weight, and what appears to be plant matter, perhaps used as bait or part of the gear.
The caption at the bottom reads "Pêches De Mer", which translates to "Sea Fishing", followed by a description of the images above, mentioning the combustion of tar and the drawing of instruments for fishing.
Image 2: Plate XVII
This image is also divided into two main sections with a series of detailed figures at the bottom:
- Top Section: Displays two scenes separated by a vertical line. The left scene shows a single-masted sailing boat. The right scene depicts two individuals in a small rowboat next to a large square net submerged in the water, with a rock formation in the background.
- Middle Section: Features a panoramic view of a bay with oyster beds marked by posts in the water and people working on rafts. There is a small island or peninsula with buildings, and various boats are visible, including a larger sailing ship.
- Bottom Section: Contains a single image showing a method of circular net fishing with several individuals participating. The background includes a mountain, indicating the geographical context of this fishing technique.
The caption at the bottom of the second plate reads "Pêches de Mer" with additional descriptions about the methods of fishing with nets and dragnets, and mentions specific types of seafood such as oysters and "Petite-Pêche dormant", which might refer to a method of passive fishing.
These illustrations are detailed and carefully colored, suggesting they may have been intended for a comprehensive study or an encyclopedia on fishing practices of the era. The meticulous labeling and depiction of equipment and methods indicate an educational purpose, aiming to document and disseminate knowledge of these traditional techniques.
