CUVIER - THE UNICORNFISH fish print

This very beautiful rare fish engraving, with fine original handcolouring, is from Georges Cuvier’s Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, published in Paris between 1828 and 1849.

Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) was a founder of comparative anatomy and one of the most influential figures of 19th century biology. His magnificent 22-volume Histoire Naturelle des Poissons became a landmark survey in the science of fishes and contained descriptions of over 4000 species.

“In the monumental 'Histoire Naturelle des Poissons,’ Cuvier and his most able student, Achille Valenciennes, summarised nearly all that was known about fishes up to that time…The work of these two scientists thus constitutes the historical foundation of modern ichthyology.”  Pietsch, 1995

The gorgeous handcoloured fish plates from these remarkable volumes are noted for the precision of the engravings and the delicacy of their colouring; many of which are heightened with gold and silver.