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White Stork "Storch Ciconia": An 18th Century Hand-colored Frisch Engraving

Offered by: Timeless Intaglio – Rare Prints, Maps & Books

Description
This is a rare 18th Century hand-colored copperplate engraving entitled "Der Storch Ciconia" (White Stork) by Johann Leonhard Frisch is plate 196 from the 1st edition of his publication 'Vorstellung der Vogel in Teutschland und Beylaugffig auch Einiger Fremden, mit Ihren Eigenschaften Beschrieben…und Nach Iheren Naturlichen Farben', published in Berlin, Germany in 1733. This engraving depicts a white stork. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on the bird's wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks. They breed in Europe, northwestern and southern Africa and southwestern Asia. The white stork is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa or on the Indian subcontinent. When migrating between Europe and Africa, it avoids crossing the Mediterranean Sea because the air thermals, which are critical to its ability to soar, which is critical to preserving its energy, do not form over water.

This beautiful hand-colored white stork engraving is printed on original 18th century watermarked chain-linked laid paper. The sheet measures 13.5" x 9". There are small focal marks in the lower portion of the right margin and a short archivally repaired tear in the lower margin that extends to but does not cross the plate line, and does not involve the image. It is otherwise in very good to excellent condition.

Johann Leonhard Frisch (1666-1743) was a German scholar who was a headmaster at a school in Berlin, a singer, a minister, an interpreter for the German army, and an artist. His academic interest in natural history inspired him to form a Cabinet of Curiosities for which he created the illustrations. Frisch is credited by some with the discovery of the color 'Prussian Blue', and was responsible for the planting of mulberries on the ramparts of Berlin in a successful attempt to produce silk. Frisch's academic achievement 'Vorstellung der Vogel in Teutschland' took nearly 30 years to complete.

More Information

Period:	18th Century
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	1733
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	583227

Dimensions

W.	9 in;	H.	13.5 in;
W.	22.86 cm;	H.	34.29 cm;

Message from Seller:

Timeless Intaglio is an online gallery of rare and collectable antiquarian prints, maps and books. Although we specialize in all forms of vintage printed works on paper, the majority were created with the intaglio method of transferring ink from a plate, usually copper, to paper with a technique utilizing pressure generated by a press. Email us directly: rbreiman@timelessintaglio.com