11479 Jan Jonston (1603–1675) – Studies of Deer and an Elk – Engraving (1650)
"Dama-Cervus. Damhirsch. Caprea. ReheKalb. Alce Mas." This engraving presents three horizontal panels illustrating different species of antlered mammals in dynamic or alert poses. The top panel depicts a fallow deer (Dama-Cervus) with spotted hide and broad, palmated antlers, shown mid-stride across a small mound. The middle panel features a roe deer (Caprea) with a slender neck and smooth coat, looking upward as it stands on a grassy patch. The bottom panel illustrates a male elk (Alce Mas) with massive, deeply palmated antlers, shown in a lowered, charging or defensive posture. The work is characterized by the fine line work and cross-hatching typical of seventeenth-century natural history illustration, designed to document the unique physical characteristics of European big game. This print was published in Frankfurt am Main as part of the Theatrum Universale Omnium Animalium, a foundational zoological encyclopedia of the Baroque era.
Jan Jonston was a Polish-born physician and naturalist of Scottish descent who authored some of the most influential scientific texts of the seventeenth century. His encyclopedic Theatrum series covered quadrupeds, birds, insects, and fish, serving as a standard reference for naturalists for over a hundred years. The plates for his works were produced in the prestigious workshop of Matthäus Merian, known for combining high artistic quality with technical precision. Jonston's work played a critical role in transitioning zoological study from medieval lore to empirical documentation. His systematic organization of animal species significantly impacted later biological classification systems, including those developed by Carl Linnaeus.
Artist or Maker: Jan Jonston.
Dimensions: Approximately 34 cm x 21 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: 1650.
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
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