From De Piscibus
Ulisse Aldrovandi, engraved by Cristoforo Coriolano
Bologna: Nicolaus Tebaldini, 1638
Hand-colored woodcut on folio leaf
Woodcut printed to recto
This powerful folio woodcut depicting a thresher shark originates from De Piscibus, Ulisse Aldrovandi’s monumental study of aquatic life, published posthumously in Bologna in 1638 by Nicolaus Tebaldini. Sharks occupied a unique position in early modern natural history, often described with a mixture of empirical observation and inherited fear, and Aldrovandi’s treatment reflects the growing effort to document these animals with clarity and authority.
Aldrovandi was regarded by his contemporaries, sometimes with admiring irony, as the supreme authority on natural history for his exhaustive 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 singled out his woodcut engraver Cristoforo Coriolano, whose cuts were celebrated for their elegance and precision, often compared favorably to copper engravings.
The present impression demonstrates this refinement. Coriolano’s line work conveys the elongated tail and muscular body of the thresher shark with striking economy and control. The sheet has been hand colored, likely shortly after publication, enhancing contrast and visual impact while preserving the authority of the underlying engraving. Each hand-colored example is unique.
Thresher sharks were especially intriguing to early modern naturalists due to their unusual tail morphology, which challenged existing classification systems. Prints such as this document the moment when observation began to replace legend in the study of formidable marine predators.
Good overall condition. Some staining to one margin consistent with age and use. 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 × 9.45 inches (35 × 24 cm)
Subject: Thresher Shark, 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 powerful folio woodcut depicting a thresher shark originates from De Piscibus, Ulisse Aldrovandi’s monumental study of aquatic life, published posthumously in Bologna in 1638 by Nicolaus Tebaldini. Sharks occupied a unique position in early modern natural history, often described with a mixture of empirical observation and inherited fear, and Aldrovandi’s treatment reflects the growing effort to document these animals with clarity and authority.
Aldrovandi was regarded by his contemporaries, sometimes with admiring irony, as the supreme authority on natural history for his exhaustive 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 singled out his woodcut engraver Cristoforo Coriolano, whose cuts were celebrated for their elegance and precision, often compared favorably to copper engravings.
The present impression demonstrates this refinement. Coriolano’s line work conveys the elongated tail and muscular body of the thresher shark with striking economy and control. The sheet has been hand colored, likely shortly after publication, enhancing contrast and visual impact while preserving the authority of the underlying engraving. Each hand-colored example is unique.
Thresher sharks were especially intriguing to early modern naturalists due to their unusual tail morphology, which challenged existing classification systems. Prints such as this document the moment when observation began to replace legend in the study of formidable marine predators.
Good overall condition. Some staining to one margin consistent with age and use. 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 × 9.45 inches (35 × 24 cm)
Subject: Thresher Shark, Ichthyology
Status: Available
