Marine Life · 18th century
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Both plates in good condition with strong platemarks. Light toning and minor spotting in margins, but images remain crisp and detailed. Offered as two separate folio sheets, unframed.
Pair of Antique Engravings of Starfish and Marine Echinoderms from Diderot’s Encyclopédie, ca. 1770
A fine pair of copperplate engravings from Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, Paris, circa 1770. These plates form part of the Histoire naturelle. Suite du règne animal, focusing on starfish and related echinoderms.
The first plate (Pl. LXII) presents several varieties of starfish (Étoiles de mer), ranging from the classic five-armed form to unusual species with multiple arms and sinuous, almost serpentine extensions. The engraver carefully captured the texture of the arms, showing the rough, dotted surface characteristic of these marine animals.
The second plate (Pl. LXIII) depicts more elaborate echinoderm forms, including the “tête de Méduse,” an intricate basket star with curling, lace-like appendages, and the radiating “Soleil,” a striking sun-star whose symmetrical arms create a dramatic, almost geometric effect. These figures reflect both scientific inquiry and the aesthetic fascination of Enlightenment naturalists with marine organisms of extraordinary shapes.
Together, these engravings illustrate the diversity of starfish and related species known to European science in the 18th century. They balance accuracy with artistic flourish, representing both the drive to classify nature and the wonder of discovery. Highly decorative and historically significant, they make a striking pair for collectors of natural history or Enlightenment prints.
Condition report: Both plates in good condition with strong platemarks. Light toning and minor spotting in margins, but images remain crisp and detailed. Offered as two separate folio sheets, unframed.
Framing tips: These two engravings complement each other beautifully as a set. Wide ivory or cream mounts will bring out the intricate linework, while black or dark wood frames provide a strong visual anchor. Double matting with a subtle blue or green inner line enhances the marine subject matter and gives depth to the display.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Denis Diderot & Jean le Rond d’Alembert, Paris, ca. 1770
