Set of Three Engravings of Sea Urchins and Marine Life by Diderot, ca.1770
€ 310
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1770
Sheet size
39 × 25 cm (15.4 × 9.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13494-9, -10, -11
Condition
Condition report: Good condition overall with strong platemarks visible. Light toning and scattered foxing in margins, consistent with age. Images remain sharp and well-preserved. Offered as three separate folio sheets, unframed.
About this sheet
Set of Three Engravings of Sea Urchins and Marine Life from Diderot’s Encyclopédie, ca. 1770
A fine set of three copperplate engravings from Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert’s monumental 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, specifically devoted to echinoderms and related marine invertebrates.
The first plate (Pl. LIX) illustrates several species of sea urchins (Oursins), including rounded and flattened forms, with distinctive surface textures and patterns. Some specimens display the characteristic five-fold symmetry and star-shaped impressions, which fascinated Enlightenment naturalists.
The second plate (Pl. LX) highlights two remarkable examples of long-spined urchins, shown with radiating spines that emphasize their protective adaptations. The engraver’s delicate linework conveys both the geometric perfection and the fragility of these extraordinary creatures.
The third plate (Pl. LXI) includes further echinoderm studies along with sea lilies (Fleurs de mer), a type of crinoid related to starfish and urchins. Their feather-like appendages and intricate structures are rendered with elegance and precision, reflecting the curiosity of 18th-century naturalists toward marine organisms that blurred the boundaries between plant and animal life.
These engravings exemplify the Enlightenment pursuit of cataloguing the natural world and remain visually striking for their balance of scientific observation and decorative quality. Displayed together, they create a cohesive series that highlights both the diversity and the beauty of marine life as understood in the 18th century. For collectors of scientific illustration, natural history, or maritime subjects, they represent important artifacts from one of the most influential intellectual projects of the period.
Condition report: Good condition overall with strong platemarks visible. Light toning and scattered foxing in margins, consistent with age. Images remain sharp and well-preserved. Offered as three separate folio sheets, unframed.
Framing tips: These three engravings work beautifully as a triptych. Wide ivory or cream mounts will emphasize the crisp engraving lines, while black or dark wood frames provide contrast and elegance. For a refined effect, consider double matting with a fine blue or sea-green inner line to complement the marine subject.
Technique: Copperplate engraving Maker: Denis Diderot & Jean le Rond d’Alembert, Paris, ca. 1770
