Marine Life · 18th century
€ 170
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good. General age related toning and occasional light staining from handling as visible on image. The edges rough wiht small tears not going in the plate mark. Study the images carefully.
This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793.
This engraving is part of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" by Panckoucke, focusing on "Pêche," specifically the "Fabrique des Hameçons" or "Manufacture of Fish Hooks." The top part of the plate displays an interior scene of a workshop where artisans are crafting fish hooks. Below this, various types of hooks and the stages of their manufacture are illustrated in detail. This plate would have been used to educate and inform on the intricate process of creating fishing hooks, which was a vital component of the fishing industry during the 18th century. It's a fascinating look into the craftsmanship and industrial methods of the period.
The engraving is executed on verge type hand-laid paper, a high-quality paper commonly used at the time for important documents and artwork. It showcases the meticulous art of etching and engraving that was characteristic of the era.
The Encyclopédie Méthodique is an expanded and re-arranged edition of the earlier Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, which was a substantial reference for arts and sciences and a vehicle for spreading the ideas of the French Enlightenment. This encyclopedia was an immense undertaking, with contributions from more than 140 individuals, and it played a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge during that era.
The figures are labeled and offer a glimpse into the techniques and tools used in fishing during the late 18th century, serving not only as an informative piece but also as an historical document illustrating the technological and industrial knowledge of the time. The artists and engravers involved in the creation of this plate, such as Robert Benard, played a critical role in illustrating the vast array of subjects covered by the encyclopedia.
