Antique Print of the Opah Fish (Le Lampris Tacheté) – Gaimard, 1842
This vivid hand-colored engraving presents the Opah, or Lampris (Lampris guttatus), a rare and distinctive oceanic fish known for its deep, laterally compressed body, brilliant coloration, and unusual shape. In French, it is titled Le Lampris Tacheté (“the spotted opah”), referring to the shimmering spots across its flanks. The plate shows the fish in full profile, its silvery-blue body contrasted with bright red fins and tail, making it one of the most visually striking illustrations in Paul Gaimard’s *Voyage en Islande et au Groenland*.
Supplementary outline drawings highlight anatomical details, including the unique structure of the fish’s head and body. These additional studies emphasize the scientific accuracy of the work, underscoring its purpose as a natural history reference as much as an artistic rendering.
This plate was published in Paris in 1842 as part of Gaimard’s monumental account of his 1835 expedition to Iceland and Greenland. While the expedition had been intended to search for the missing voyage of Jean de Blosseville, it instead yielded a sweeping survey of the region’s natural history, geology, ethnography, and culture. The zoological plates, including this Opah, represent some of the earliest and most detailed scientific illustrations of North Atlantic marine life.
Drawn by Louis Bévalet and lithographed by J. Bernard, the plate exemplifies the high craftsmanship of 19th-century French lithography, combining meticulous observation with vivid hand coloring. Today, it stands out as a centerpiece among Gaimard’s natural history illustrations, admired for both its rarity and its dramatic aesthetic appeal.
Condition report: Strong impression with excellent original hand coloring. Sheet with wide margins, showing scattered foxing and light spotting, especially in the background, but the fish remains brilliantly preserved. Plate mark clearly visible.
Framing tips: This is an exceptional display piece. A simple black or dark walnut frame with a wide ivory mat will draw the eye to the brilliant colors. For a more decorative presentation, a gilt frame can enhance the opulence of the fish’s red and silver tones.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving Artists and Engravers: Made by 'H. Legrand' after 'Acaric Baron'. Paul Gaimard (1793-1858) served on board the Uranie under Freycinet during his circumnavigation of the world, and was partly responsible for the zoological studies published as a result of that voyage. He later served under Dumont d'Urville on board the Astrolabe during the La Perouse search expedition in 1826-1829. Gaimard's voyage to Iceland embarked in 1835 in search of the expedition of Jean de Blosseville from whom nothing had been heard since 1833. No trace was found, but the present work is the result of Gaimard's extensive travels through Iceland, and contains many fine views.
Engraving with contemporary hand colouring on vellin (wove) paper.
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