12441 Johannes Jonstonus (1603–1675) – Study of Exotic and Marine Fishes – Copper engraving (1650)
"Abacatuia". This ichthyological plate illustrates eight distinct species of fish, including several exotic varieties from the tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. The top figure, labeled Abacatuia, represents a lookdown or moonfish, while the lower registers feature a needlefish (Tiru), a sailfish or marlin (Guebucu) with a prominent dorsal fin, and an eel-like specimen (Mura). The engraving captures the varied scales, fin structures, and specialized mouthparts of these marine animals. This plate was published in Frankfurt as part of the encyclopedic series Historiae Naturalis de Piscibus et Cetis, which served as a foundational visual record for 17th-century European marine biology.
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.
| Värdering | 400 - 500 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
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