Octopus, Nautilus shell & snails (1886)

Title: "Schnecken, XX" (Snails)

Artist: Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert

Place of Publication: Ecklingen, Germany

Year: 1886

Technique: Original chromolithography on paper

Size (inc. mat): 44.5 x 50 cm Size image: 28.1 x 36.4 cm

Professionally matted in acid-free museum quality mat-board, with centre-fold as issued.

Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert (1780–1860) was a German physician, naturalist and psychologist. Schubert became a professor of natural history in Erlangen, Germany, and gave lectures on botany, mineralogy and zoology. Later in his career, he was appointed head of the department of general natural history in Munich. Print series like these were designed to educate the general public on natural history and formed part of the so-called “Anschauungs-Unterricht”(“visual education”). Pictorial print series of this kind provided easy access to information about animal species from all over the world. During the 19th century in particular, many new species were discovered, and Schubert’s work provided valuable insights into the latest findings.

The technique used for these plates is chromolithography, a popular printing process developed in the 19th century. Lithographic stones were used to print images onto paper, with a separate stone required for every single colour. This technique was particularly useful for scientific publications, as it allowed illustrations to accurately depict species in their natural colours.