From De Piscibus
Ulisse Aldrovandi, engraved by Cristoforo Coriolano
Bologna: Nicolaus Tebaldini, 1638
Hand-colored woodcut on folio leaf
Woodcut printed to recto
This elegant folio woodcut depicting Anthias (Anthiinae), a brilliantly colored reef fish, originates from De Piscibus, Ulisse Aldrovandi’s monumental study of aquatic life, published posthumously in Bologna in 1638 by Nicolaus Tebaldini. Among the more refined and naturalistic images in Aldrovandi’s corpus, the print reflects the growing accuracy with which Mediterranean and tropical fish were observed and recorded in the early seventeenth century.
Aldrovandi was regarded by his contemporaries, sometimes with admiring irony, as the supreme authority on natural history for his exhaustive and uncompromising approach to classification. While his textual expansiveness was occasionally criticized, the artistic quality of the illustrations in his works has been consistently praised. In particular, Aldrovandi himself singled out his woodcut engraver Cristoforo Coriolano, whose cuts were noted for their exceptional elegance and precision, often said to resemble copper engravings in their refinement.
The present impression exemplifies this reputation. Coriolano’s line work is crisp and controlled, capturing the streamlined body, fin structure, and motion of the fish with clarity and restraint. The sheet has been hand colored, likely shortly after publication, enhancing the visual vibrancy of the subject while preserving the authority of the underlying engraving. As with all hand-colored examples, each impression is unique.
Reef fish such as Anthias held particular interest for early modern naturalists as European knowledge of warm-water marine environments expanded through trade and exploration. This print stands as a refined document of that encounter, balancing observation with the aesthetic sensibilities of Renaissance scientific illustration.
Good overall condition. Some minor areas of age toning consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
Nissen, Zoologische Buchillustration (ZBI) 70
Nissen, Fischbücher 7
Westwood & Satchell 3
Huber 56
Medium: Hand-colored woodcut
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1638
Dimensions: 13.78 × 9.25 inches (35 × 23.5 cm)
Subject: Anthias, Reef Fish, Ichthyology
Status: Available
From De Piscibus
Ulisse Aldrovandi, engraved by Cristoforo Coriolano
Bologna: Nicolaus Tebaldini, 1638
Hand-colored woodcut on folio leaf
Woodcut printed to recto
This elegant folio woodcut depicting Anthias (Anthiinae), a brilliantly colored reef fish, originates from De Piscibus, Ulisse Aldrovandi’s monumental study of aquatic life, published posthumously in Bologna in 1638 by Nicolaus Tebaldini. Among the more refined and naturalistic images in Aldrovandi’s corpus, the print reflects the growing accuracy with which Mediterranean and tropical fish were observed and recorded in the early seventeenth century.
Aldrovandi was regarded by his contemporaries, sometimes with admiring irony, as the supreme authority on natural history for his exhaustive and uncompromising approach to classification. While his textual expansiveness was occasionally criticized, the artistic quality of the illustrations in his works has been consistently praised. In particular, Aldrovandi himself singled out his woodcut engraver Cristoforo Coriolano, whose cuts were noted for their exceptional elegance and precision, often said to resemble copper engravings in their refinement.
The present impression exemplifies this reputation. Coriolano’s line work is crisp and controlled, capturing the streamlined body, fin structure, and motion of the fish with clarity and restraint. The sheet has been hand colored, likely shortly after publication, enhancing the visual vibrancy of the subject while preserving the authority of the underlying engraving. As with all hand-colored examples, each impression is unique.
Reef fish such as Anthias held particular interest for early modern naturalists as European knowledge of warm-water marine environments expanded through trade and exploration. This print stands as a refined document of that encounter, balancing observation with the aesthetic sensibilities of Renaissance scientific illustration.
Good overall condition. Some minor areas of age toning consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
Nissen, Zoologische Buchillustration (ZBI) 70
Nissen, Fischbücher 7
Westwood & Satchell 3
Huber 56
Medium: Hand-colored woodcut
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1638
Dimensions: 13.78 × 9.25 inches (35 × 23.5 cm)
Subject: Anthias, Reef Fish, Ichthyology
Status: Available
