12439 Johannes Jonstonus (1603–1675) – Study of Owls – Copper engraving (1650)
"Ulula". This ornithological plate features nine detailed illustrations of various owl species, categorizing them according to 17th-century nomenclature. The top row includes the "Ulula" and "Kirch Eule" (Church Owl or Barn Owl), while the middle and bottom sections display the "Noctua" (Little Owl), "Aluco" (Tawny Owl), and "Strix". The engraver has meticulously rendered the distinct facial disks, plumage patterns, and sharp talons of these nocturnal raptors, even depicting one owl grasping a small rodent. This plate was published in Frankfurt as part of the influential series Historiae Naturalis de Avibus, serving as a comprehensive visual record of European and exotic birds of prey.
Johannes Jonstonus was a Polish-born physician and naturalist of Scottish descent who became one of the most widely read scientific authors of the seventeenth century. His most significant contribution was the Historiae Naturalis, a massive multivolume compendium that synthesized the zoological knowledge of his time, drawing from both classical sources and contemporary observations. Jonstonus collaborated with the renowned Merian family of engravers, particularly Matthäus Merian the Younger, to produce high-quality illustrations that set a new standard for natural history publishing. His work remained the primary reference for European zoology until the more systematic classifications of Linnaeus in the eighteenth century.
Artist or Maker: Johannes Jonstonus.
Dimensions: Approximately 34 cm x 21 cm.
Medium: Copper 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.
| Estimate | 400 - 500 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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