Antique Print-SNAKE-CERASTES-SEPS-HORNED VIPER-REPTILE-Jonston-Merian-1657

Price: € 87,50

Subject: Tab II: This plate shows various snakes; Cerastes Grevini Aldrou, Gehornichte Schlangh (Horned Viper, Cerastes Viper) - Cerastes ex Libya Aldrou (Horned Viper, Cerastes Viper) - Haemorrhous Parei - Seps Parei.

Condition: Excellent. Some creases in the margins. Paper thin in the lower right margin corner. General age related toning and minimal staining.

Medium: Copper plate engraving on verge type hand-laid paper with watermark.

Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 22 x 32 cm. The image size is ca. 17.5 x 29.5 cm.

Size (in inch): The overall size is ca. 8.7 x 12.6 inch. The image size is ca. 6.9 x 11.6 inch.

Part Number: 23659

Location: A102-38

Description: This rare antique engraving originates from: 'Historiae Naturalis. De Serpentibus Libri Duo.' (Volume 2 of Historiae Naturalis.) by John Johnston, published in Frankfurt by Matthias Merian in 1657.

Artists and Engravers: John Johnston (or Johnstone, 1603-1675) was a descendant of a Scottish family. Born in Sambter, Poland, he studied extensively at the famous universities of the day, including St. Andrews, Scotland, Cambridge & Leiden. After many years traveling in Europe, he settled in Silesia. Matthaus Merian was a leading German engraver of the day, from a prominent family of engravers and artists, and the father of Maria Merian.