Landscape · 19th century
€ 850
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Fine impression with strong original hand coloring. Wide margins with light foxing and minor age toning, especially in the margins, not affecting the central image. Plate mark clearly visible.
Antique Print of the Arctic Fox in Winter Coat – Gaimard, 1842
This beautifully hand-colored lithograph portrays the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus, here Renard Isatis), shown in its thick white winter coat. Two foxes are depicted in a rocky tundra landscape, one standing alert while the other prowls near a bird it has caught, reflecting both the elegance and survival instincts of this hardy Arctic species. The careful rendering of the snowy pelage against a green landscape background demonstrates both scientific accuracy and artistic refinement.
The plate was published in Voyage en Islande et au Groenland (Paris, 1842), documenting Paul Gaimard’s 1835 expedition. Though the official aim was to locate Jean de Blosseville’s lost Arctic voyage, the result was instead a comprehensive scientific and ethnographic survey of Iceland and Greenland. The zoological section contained plates of mammals, birds, fish, and shells, all produced with extraordinary attention to detail.
This illustration was drawn by P. Ch. Toussaint and lithographed by J. Bernard, with hand coloring carefully applied. The foxes’ postures and expressions not only reflect natural history observation but also imbue the composition with a sense of vitality, making it one of the most attractive mammal plates in the series.
The Arctic Fox, an emblematic species of the far north, is celebrated for its ability to survive extreme cold, with its white winter coat providing camouflage against snow and ice. This plate remains a valuable document of 19th-century zoology and a striking collector’s piece for both natural history and Arctic exploration enthusiasts.
Condition report: Fine impression with strong original hand coloring. Wide margins with light foxing and minor age toning, especially in the margins, not affecting the central image. Plate mark clearly visible.
Framing tips: A natural wood or walnut frame with a pale ivory mat will emphasize the snowy fur tones, while a double mat with a fine grey-blue inner line can subtly reference the Arctic habitat.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Drawn by P. Ch. Toussaint, lithographed by J. Bernard – from Paul Gaimard, Paris, 1842
