Salema Porgy (Ichthyology)
From Fischbuch
Conrad Gesner
Zurich: Christoph Froschauer, 1563
Four woodcuts on a single folio leaf
Later hand coloring
Description
This fine sixteenth-century folio leaf depicting the salema porgy originates from the 1563 German edition of Conrad Gesner’s Fischbuch, printed in Zurich by Christoph Froschauer. Issued during Gesner’s lifetime, the Fischbuch represents one of the earliest systematic efforts to document marine species through direct observation and comparative illustration.
Gesner was among the most influential polymaths of the Renaissance, active as a physician, philosopher, bibliographer, philologist, and natural historian. His approach to ichthyology marked a decisive shift away from symbolic or mythic interpretations of fish and toward careful visual and textual description. The salema porgy, a recognizable Mediterranean species, offered early naturalists an opportunity to study form, proportion, and variation within a known marine environment.
The folio presents four woodcut images on a single sheet, allowing for comparison of the species from multiple perspectives. The woodcuts were executed by Hans Asper, Johann Thomas, and Lukas Schrön, whose clear and restrained engraving style emphasized anatomical structure and distinguishing features. The present impression has been hand colored at a later date, enhancing visual clarity and presence while preserving the integrity of the original cuts. Each hand-colored example is unique.
Early Gesner fish prints are highly valued for their age, scholarly importance, and role in establishing ichthyology as a scientific discipline. This folio, combining multiple views of a single species, is a particularly strong example of Renaissance natural history illustration in transition from tradition to observation.
Condition
Good overall condition. Some even age toning consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
References
Details
Medium: Woodcuts with later hand coloring
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1563
Dimensions: 13.50 × 8.54 inches (34.3 × 21.7 cm)
Subjects: Salema Porgy, Ichthyology
Status: Available
Salema Porgy (Ichthyology)
From Fischbuch
Conrad Gesner
Zurich: Christoph Froschauer, 1563
Four woodcuts on a single folio leaf
Later hand coloring
Description
This fine sixteenth-century folio leaf depicting the salema porgy originates from the 1563 German edition of Conrad Gesner’s Fischbuch, printed in Zurich by Christoph Froschauer. Issued during Gesner’s lifetime, the Fischbuch represents one of the earliest systematic efforts to document marine species through direct observation and comparative illustration.
Gesner was among the most influential polymaths of the Renaissance, active as a physician, philosopher, bibliographer, philologist, and natural historian. His approach to ichthyology marked a decisive shift away from symbolic or mythic interpretations of fish and toward careful visual and textual description. The salema porgy, a recognizable Mediterranean species, offered early naturalists an opportunity to study form, proportion, and variation within a known marine environment.
The folio presents four woodcut images on a single sheet, allowing for comparison of the species from multiple perspectives. The woodcuts were executed by Hans Asper, Johann Thomas, and Lukas Schrön, whose clear and restrained engraving style emphasized anatomical structure and distinguishing features. The present impression has been hand colored at a later date, enhancing visual clarity and presence while preserving the integrity of the original cuts. Each hand-colored example is unique.
Early Gesner fish prints are highly valued for their age, scholarly importance, and role in establishing ichthyology as a scientific discipline. This folio, combining multiple views of a single species, is a particularly strong example of Renaissance natural history illustration in transition from tradition to observation.
Condition
Good overall condition. Some even age toning consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
References
Details
Medium: Woodcuts with later hand coloring
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1563
Dimensions: 13.50 × 8.54 inches (34.3 × 21.7 cm)
Subjects: Salema Porgy, Ichthyology
Status: Available
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