Johann Jakob Scheuchzer — Physica Sacra
Plate CCXXXV (235): “Cuniculus, mus alpinus”
Augsburg & Ulm, c. 1732
Original 18th-century copper engraving from Johann Jakob Scheuchzer’s celebrated Physica Sacra (also issued in German as the Kupfer-Bibel), an extraordinary attempt to illustrate and explain the natural world described in the Bible through contemporary science and natural history.
This large plate accompanies Leviticus 11:5 and depicts the biblical coney/rabbit together with the Alpine marmot. Three animals appear within a dramatic mountain landscape, surmounted by an anatomical study and two medallion-like figures, all enclosed within an elaborate Baroque architectural border.
Numbered TAB. CCXXXV at upper right and captioned below in Latin “Cuniculus, mus alpinus”, with the corresponding German caption and biblical references to Leviticus/Moses.
Engraved by M. Tyroff, whose signature appears at lower right.
Scheuchzer’s Physica Sacra was published at Augsburg and Ulm in four volumes from 1731–1735 and contained hundreds of elaborate copper engravings bringing together Scripture, zoology, botany, geology, anatomy and other branches of early natural science.
Size: approximately 15 × 8½ inches.
Condition: Very good for an original 18th-century engraving. Light overall toning with scattered minor spotting/soiling. Binding edge at left is irregular with small losses/notches and a small upper-left corner defect. Broad margins remain. Engraved image, captions and decorative border are complete and present very well. Blank verso. Please examine photographs closely for condition.
Original 18th-century engraving — not a modern reproduction.
The bibliographical identification is supported by institutional holdings of Scheuchzer's Physica Sacra, published in Augsburg and Ulm in 1731–1735; Volume II contains plates CCXXVI through CCCCXV. Biodiversity Heritage Library
Johann Jakob Scheuchzer Physica Sacra Kupfer Bibel 1732 Bible Engraving Leviticus 11 Rabbit Hare Coney Marmot Natural History Zoology Biblical Animals 18th Century Copper Engraving Tyroff Antique Print