Marine Life · 18th century
€ 230
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. Left side of the sheet is uncut, so with rough edge. 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, specifically from the section 'Receuil de Planches de l’Encyclopedie. Planches des Peches,' which details various fishing techniques.
This plate, concerned with ocean fishing (Peches de Mer), seems to focus on the net-making process (Fabrique des Filets). It depicts various tools and scenes associated with the crafting of fishing nets. The top section of the engraving shows detailed illustrations of the equipment used, while the bottom section portrays people engaged in the different stages of net-making and repair. This engraving would have served as a detailed reference for those interested in the technology and methodology of fishing during the late 18th century.
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and tools used in fishing during the late 18th century, serving not only as an informative piece but also as an historical document illustrating the technological and industrial knowledge of the time.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.
