About this sheet
Original Antique Print of a Lioness and Her Cubs by Bertuch, 1810
The composition shows a large reclining lioness surrounded by several playful cubs inside a rustic animal enclosure or menagerie. One cub climbs over the lioness’s hindquarters, another lies between her forelegs, while others gather closely around their mother.
The unusual appearance of the young animals is particularly fascinating. To modern eyes several can initially resemble monkeys, but they are representations of lion cubs according to Bertuch’s original description. This discrepancy illustrates the challenges faced by European natural-history illustrators working at a time when direct observation of exotic animals was still comparatively uncommon.
The setting adds considerably to the appeal of the engraving. Rather than presenting the animals as isolated zoological specimens, Bertuch shows them within a constructed enclosure with wooden bars, dark shelters and a straw-covered roof. The result resembles an early European menagerie scene and provides an evocative glimpse into the way exotic animals were encountered and represented around 1800.
The lioness herself is depicted with considerable dignity, seated upright with her head turned in profile. Her warm brown coat and darker mane-like fur around the neck contrast with the darker enclosure behind her, while the cubs create movement across the foreground.
The engraving is enhanced with original hand coloring in restrained shades of brown, ochre, black, gray and green.
This plate comes from Volume VII of Bertuch’s “Bilderbuch für Kinder,” published in Weimar in 1810. Heidelberg University Library’s digitized copy identifies plate LXXIX in the section “Vierfüßige Thiere” specifically as “Die Löwin und ihre Jungen.”
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its extensive series of engraved and hand-colored plates introduced young readers to animals, plants, geography, science, technology and cultures from around the world.
Creator:
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)
Source:
Bilderbuch für Kinder, Volume VII
Plate:
Vierfüßige Thiere LXXIX / Animalia Quadrupedia LXXIX / Quadrupèdes LXXIX
Original Subject Title:
Die Löwin und ihre Jungen
Subject:
Lioness and Lion Cubs
Species:
Lion – Panthera leo
Place of Publication:
Weimar, Germany
Date of Manufacture:
1810
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. General age-related toning with scattered foxing, spotting and minor marks. Some marginal wear and small edge irregularities are visible. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.
Please note:
This is an original antique hand-colored engraving from 1810, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Other companion zoological and natural-history plates from Bertuch’s “Bilderbuch für Kinder” are also available separately.
