Title: Rare 1805 Handcolored Engraving of Black and Sumatran Rhinoceroses from Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kinder"
This exquisite handcolored copperplate engraving, created in 1805, depicts the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), two of the world's most critically endangered species. Taken from Friedrich Johann Bertuch's iconic "Bilderbuch für Kinder" (Picture Book for Children), this detailed artwork combines scientific precision with artistic charm. Bertuch's 12-volume encyclopedia, published between 1790 and 1830 in Weimar, Germany, is celebrated for its educational approach, featuring over 1,200 engraved plates spanning natural history, science, mythology, and more.
This plate showcases the hook-lipped rhinoceros and the rare Sumatran rhinoceros in their natural posture, emphasizing their physical differences. The "Bilderbuch für Kinder" remains an influential work, blending education with art for young readers of the Enlightenment era. Its handcolored illustrations are highly collectible, providing a glimpse into early 19th-century zoological knowledge and artistic techniques.
Collectors of historical prints or natural history artworks will appreciate this engraving's rarity and connection to early scientific publishing.
Condition: Good condition with light foxing and age toning, typical of its era.
Keywords: Black Rhinoceros, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Friedrich Bertuch, 19th-century engraving, endangered species, natural history, Bilderbuch für Kinder.
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