Very large antique copper engraved plate of Crabs,
from the Royal Edition of "Description de l'Égypte ou Recueil des observations et recherches faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l'Empereur Napoléon le Grand" by Vivant-Denon.
Elephant Folio.
The monumental first edition of the Description of Egypt in 13 volumes consisted of 892 plates, 72 of which were coloured, of which 9 volumes concerned antiquity.The other volumes dealt with Natural History and modern Egypt because Napoleon Bonaparte had brought with him a commission of scholars from all disciplines so that, it was said, in his description was stored 'the richest museum in the Universe'. This work was written in part by Baron Dominique Vivant-Denon, before he was appointed director general of the Napoleon Museum at the Louvre. More than 80 artists and 400 engravers were hired for this titanic project. The dimensions of the exceptionally large boards required the creation of a special press and a specific piece of furniture to preserve them.
Beautiful copper engraved plate, on large Arches paper, engraved by Ruotte et Victor. With the watermark of the Sphinx in uppper right. The plate depicts different varieties of crabs: Spider crabs (ith long legs), Hermit crabs or other decapods, and some larval forms (zoea, megalopa stages).
Each crab is shown in meticulous detail, including: Dorsal (top), ventral (bottom), and lateral (side) views; Limbs, claws and antennae separately illustrated, Juvevile and larval stages, Internal structures (possibly reproductive or digestive systems).
Size with margins : 68,5 x 49,5 cm / 26,7 x 19,2 inches
Condition : very good condition, in colors
Edition : Paris, Royal edition, edited by Panckoucke, dated 1803-12, 19th century
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WE DON'T SELL LASER AND COPIES MAPS, ALL WE SELL IS ORIGINAL AND ANTIQUE
Due to the age an type of paper, some imperfections are to be expected. Please examine the images provided carefully, and if you have any questions please ask and we will be happy to help you