Gesner Collection

1551 Gesner armoured rhino after Durer
Gesner Woodcut " Icones Animalium" 1560, reproduced from 1551. Published Christoph Froschover, Zurich. Gesner reproduces this image faithfully from the famous 1515 woodcut by Durer

Scenes of country life, with mythological figure. Engraving by Bernard Picart, from Johann Matthias Gesner, Scriptores rei rusticae veteres Latini: Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladius Frontispiece

Stenos shark tooth fossil
Great white shark jaw with fossil shark teeth. Copperplate after Steno 1667. Steno produced a book " Head of a shark dissected" from his dissection of a great white shark caught in

Hedgehog, illustration from Historiae animalium by Conrad Gesner
GIA877023 Hedgehog, illustration from Historiae animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1555 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

The Fox, illustration from l Historia Aminalium by Conrad Gesner
GIA2909351 The Fox, illustration from l Historia Aminalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (coloured engraving) by Italian School, (16th century); Private Collection; eGiancarlo Costa; Italian

Fantastical Sea Monster, illustration from Historiae animalium
GIA877029 Fantastical Sea Monster, illustration from Historiae animalium by Conrad Gesner (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Sea Monsters, illustration from Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner
GIA877028 Sea Monsters, illustration from Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Sea Monster attacking a Ship, illustration from Historiae Animalium
GIA877027 Sea Monster attacking a Ship, illustration from Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Sea Monster eating a human, illustration from Historiae Animalium
GIA877026 Sea Monster eating a human, illustration from Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Badger, illustration from Historia Animalium by Conrad Gesner
GIA877022 Badger, illustration from Historia Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Frontispiece of Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1551 (colour litho)
GIA877024 Frontispiece of Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1551 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Representation of a Camel, illustration from Historiae animalium
GIA877021 Representation of a Camel, illustration from Historiae animalium by Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

Sea Monster and Ship, illustration from Historiae Animalium bu Conrad Gesner
GIA877025 Sea Monster and Ship, illustration from Historiae Animalium bu Conrad Gesner, 1560 (colour litho) by Swiss School, (16th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milan, Lombardy

CONRAD GESNERS STUDY
Conrad Gesners workshop for the study of natural history, Zurich (Switzerland) Date: circa 1560

Basilisk
Gesner, the author of the book whence the image comes, labels this creature a basilisk but its really a ray-fish. Date: 1598

Conrad Gesner, 16th century Swiss physician and naturalist, 1662. Artist: Conrad Meyer
Conrad Gesner, 16th century Swiss physician and naturalist, [1662]. Gesner (1516-1565) practiced in Zurich until he died of plague

Lycanthropy: forest demon captured in Germany in 1531 (1669). This creature was said to inhabit forests round Salzburg and Hamburg

De rhinocerote Historiae animalivm Gesner Konrad
De rhinocerote, Historiae animalivm, Gesner, Konrad, 1516-1565, Letterpress, woodcut, hand-colored, 1551

De rhinocerote Historiae animalivm Gesner
De rhinocerote, Historiae animalivm, Gesner, Konrad, 1516-1565, Letterpress, woodcut, hand-colored, 1551

De hyaena Historiae animalivm Gesner Konrad 1516-1565
De hyaena, Historiae animalivm, Gesner, Konrad, 1516-1565, Letterpress, woodcut, hand-colored, 1551

De monocerote Historiae animalivm Gesner Konrad
De monocerote, Historiae animalivm, Gesner, Konrad, 1516-1565, Letterpress, woodcut, hand-colored, 1551

Konrad Gessner, 1516 To 1565. Swiss Naturalist And Bibliographer. From Crabbs Historical Dictionary Published 1825

Solomon Gessner, 1730 To 1788. Swiss Painter And Poet. From Crabbs Historical Dictionary Published 1825

Conrad Gesner, 1516-1565. Swiss Naturalist And Doctor. Engraved By J. W. Cook
Conrad Gesner, 1516-1565. Swiss Naturalist And Doctor. Engraved By J.W.Cook

Conrad Gesner
CONRAD GESNER The inventor of the lead pencil, was also a naturalist and noted scholar on Greek, Latin and the sciences. Date: 1516 - 1565

Folklore / Sea Serpent
The Sea-monk a marine monster which looks vaguely human, though probably not as much as Gesner would have us believe Date: 1558

GESNER (1516 - 1565)
CONRAD GESNER Swiss naturalist, medic, scholar, bibliographer and writer on Greek and Latin, zoology, the sciences and mountaineering. Date: 1516 - 1565

Guanaco, a species of camel native to the New World, Lama guanicoe.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from The Naturalists Pocket Magazine; or

Johann Matthias Gesner, German scholar and teacher
Johann Matthias Gesner (1691-1761), German classical scholar and schoolmaster

1147509; out of copyright

KONRAD VON GESNER (1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Holograph manuscript and signature

SEA MONSTER, 1560. Monk-like sea monster allegedly captured off the coast of Norway. Woodcut from Konrad von Gesners Nomenclator Aquatilium Animatium

SEA MONSTER, 1560. Bishop-like sea monster allegedly sighted off the coast of Poland. Woodcut from Konrad von Gesners Nomenclator Aquatilium Animatium

Vine cultivation (viticulture), II. Illustration by Christian Friedrich Boetius, from Johann Matthias Gesner, Scriptores rei rusticae veteres Latini: Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladius Date: 1773-1774

Vine cultivation (viticulture). Illustration by Christian Friedrich Boetius, from Johann Matthias Gesner, Scriptores rei rusticae veteres Latini: Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladius Tab. I

Conrad Gesner (1516-1565) Physician and naturalist. Practiced in Zurich until he died of plague. Engraving by Konrad Meyer (1618-1689) from a series of portraits of fellow citizens of Zurich

Lycanthropy: Forest demon captured Germany 1531 and said to inhabit forests round Salzburg & Hamburg. Perhaps witch wearing uncured skin - primitive rite which could have given rise to were-wolf

(1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Title-page of the first edition of volume one of Konrad von Gesners Historiae Animalium
KONRAD VON GESNER (1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Title-page of the first edition of volume one of Konrad von Gesners Historiae Animalium, published at Zurich in 1551

A physician distilling and decanting medicinal oils. Woodcut from an English translation of Konrad von Gesners Newe
PHYSICIAN, 1576. A physician distilling and decanting medicinal oils. Woodcut from an English translation of Konrad von Gesners Newe Iewell of Health, London, England, 1576

(1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Steel engraving, 19th century
KONRAD VON GESNER (1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Steel engraving, 19th century

Bird-of-paradise
Plate 612 from Konrad Gesners Historia Animalium, Vol.3, (1555)

Owl De Ulula
Illustration of Owl De Ulula by Konrad Gesner (1516-1565)

Rhinocerotidae (family), rhinoceros
Woodcut engraving published on page 953 of of Historiae Animalium, Vol. 1 De Quadrupedibus Viviparis (Viviparous Quadrupeds), 1555-1558, by Konrad Gesner (1516-1565)

ELEPHANT, c1570. Line engraving from Konrad Gesners Historia animalium... Zurich, 1551-1587

ANGEL SHARK. Woodcut from Konrad von Gesners Medici Tigurini Historiae Animalium Liber IV. Qui est de Piscium & Aquatilium animantium natura... Frankfurt, 1604

KONRAD VON GESNER (1516-1565). Swiss naturalist. Commemorative medallion bearing von Gesners family arms

1551 Gesners plague death black rat
Woodcut Illustration of the black rat Rattus rattus, from Volume 1 Conrad Gesners 1551 Historiae Animalium (here in his Icones Animalium 1560)

1560 Gesners Salzberg Satyr
Gesner woodcut with contemporary colouring from " Icones Animalium" Publ. Christof Froschover, Zurich, 1560. Gesner illustrates a creature captured in the forest of Hanesbergium in

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"Gesner: A Renaissance Naturalist's Extraordinary World Unveiled" Step into the captivating world of Conrad Gesner, a renowned Swiss naturalist and polymath of the 16th century. His groundbreaking work in zoology and botany left an indelible mark on scientific exploration, forever changing our understanding of the natural world. In his illustrious career, Gesner produced remarkable illustrations that brought to life creatures both real and mythical. One such masterpiece is his armoured rhino after Durer from 1551—a stunning depiction showcasing his artistic prowess combined with meticulous attention to detail. Gesner's works also captured scenes of country life intertwined with mythological figures, transporting viewers to enchanting realms where reality meets fantasy. These mesmerizing compositions allowed audiences to immerse themselves in a realm where imagination knows no bounds. Not limited to terrestrial wonders alone, Gesner delved into the mysteries of the sea as well. He meticulously documented marine life through intricate illustrations like Stenos shark tooth fossil—an extraordinary find that shed light on prehistoric creatures lurking beneath ocean depths. Amongst his vast repertoire were depictions of humble animals too—like hedgehogs and badgers—each rendered with utmost care and precision. Through these drawings found within Historiae Animalium, Gesner sought not only to educate but also foster a deep appreciation for all living beings inhabiting our planet. Yet it was perhaps his fantastical sea monsters that truly captivated audiences during his time. With awe-inspiring visuals depicting monstrous creatures attacking ships or devouring humans, Gesner's vivid imagination transported viewers into treacherous waters teeming with unknown terrors—a testament to both his creativity and scientific curiosity. As we explore frontispieces adorned with vibrant colors from Historiae Animalium by Conrad Gesner in 1551, we are reminded once again of this visionary's profound impact on natural history illustration.