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1834 Guerin engraving Extinct animals
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1834 Guerin engraving Extinct animals
This 1834 steel engraving with contemporary hand colouring is the earliest coloured reconstruction of extinct fossil animals. It is from Guerins Dictionnaire pittoresque Vol 1. plate 24. Numbered it includes 1 the icthyosaur, 2 the plesiosaur, 3 and 4 pterodactyles, 5 the fossil crocodile of Mstrich (now identified as a Mososaur). It comes from Felix Guerins french Illustrated Dictionary of Natural History and is engraved by Johann Baptist Pfitzer from a drawing by Emile Boblaye. The accompanying text (translated from the French) notes that " the gigantic reptiles " - " are joined in the Jurassic and Cretaceous stages by a mass of similarly strange reptiles, drawings of which are based on their skeletons and seem not so much a reality but rather the work of a sick imagination". The drawing of the mosasaur derives from the megalosaur in British equivalents such as the Penny Magazine
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Media ID 6318687
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ammonite Color Colour Engraving Fossil Reconstruction Ichthyosaur Marine Reptile Megalosaur Plesiosaur Pre Historic Pterodactyle Restoration Guerin Maastricht
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This 1834 Guerin engraving, adorned with contemporary hand colouring, offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the world of extinct fossil animals. Considered the earliest coloured reconstruction of these ancient creatures, this print is an exquisite piece from Guerins Dictionnaire pittoresque Vol 1. plate 24. The numbered depiction includes various remarkable beings: the icthyosaur (1), the plesiosaur (2), two pterodactyles (3 and 4), and the fossil crocodile of Mstrich (5) – now known as a Mososaur. Engraved by Johann Baptist Pfitzer based on Emile Boblaye's drawing, this artwork originates from Felix Guerins French Illustrated Dictionary of Natural History. Translated from French, its accompanying text describes these "gigantic reptiles" that inhabited both Jurassic and Cretaceous periods alongside numerous other peculiar reptilian species whose drawings were derived from their skeletal remains. These illustrations often seemed more like products of an imaginative mind than actual realities. The inclusion of the mosasaur in this engraving draws inspiration from British equivalents such as those found in publications like Penny Magazine. With its vibrant colours and meticulous restoration work, this illustration transports us back to prehistoric times when marine reptiles roamed our planet's waters. Paul D. Stewart masterfully captures the essence of this historical artwork through his lens at Science Photo Library. This image serves as a testament to humanity's fascination with Earth's past inhabitants while showcasing early attempts at reconstructing these magnificent creatures through artistry and scientific interpretation.
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