"Equus Zebra / Le Zebre"

This wonderful engraving was included as an illustration in the first large scale illustrated treatise on animals published in the early 19th century.  Before the publication of the Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes (also known as Animal Kingdom), pictures of exotic animals were often  quite unsatisfactory as subjects were scarce and usually in poor condition.  Sometimes the artists had only inadequate notes or an oral description of an animal with which to create an image.  In Europe for example an artist could not produce a satisfactory portrait of a lion, elephant or monkey unless he had access to a "menagerie.  The Animal Kingdom was an immediate success both publicly and scientifically. The text was written by Georges L.C. Baron Cuvier (1769-1832) and the drawings were after Nicholas Marechal (1753-1803). The engravings were produced from drawings by highly skilled naturalists working at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.  This engraving is drawn in the French tradition of the early 19th century where animals were depcited as precious works of art rather than flesh and blood creatures.

12 1/2 x 20 1/4 inches sheet
Uncolored engraving
Excellent original condition.