11632 Johannes Jonston (1603-1675) – Octopus, Nautilus, and Shells – Etching (1657)
"Tab X" This etching presents a detailed study of cephalopods and various gastropod shells. The upper portion of the composition features a common octopus with eight radiating tentacles and a nautilus shown both in its living state with tentacles extended and as a cross-section to reveal its internal chambers. The remainder of the plate displays a variety of ornate shells, including the spiral forms of the Purpura, Buccina, and Murex genera, as well as the elongated Strambus magnus. Each specimen is rendered with fine linework to highlight the textures, ridges, and complex architectural structures of the shells. This work was published in the Historiae Naturalis, specifically within the volume De Piscibus et Cetis, printed in Amsterdam by Joannes Janssonius.
Johannes Jonston was a prominent physician and naturalist of Scottish descent who was active in Poland and the Netherlands during the seventeenth century. He is best known for his monumental encyclopedic series on natural history, which sought to compile and categorize the global knowledge of zoology, botany, and mineralogy. Jonston collaborated with the renowned Merian family of engravers to produce high quality illustrations that served as standard references for European scholars for several generations. His work was instrumental in the transition from Renaissance naturalism to the more systematic biological observations of the early modern period.
Artist or Maker: Johannes Jonston.
Dimensions: Approximately 34 cm x 21 cm.
Medium: Etching.
Date: 1657.
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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