Water
The illustrations of aquatic animals we selected fall into two broad categories. Scientific works are swimming with images of fish, educating readers on taxonomies and how to identify the exact species they might see in the water. But there are far more than fish in the sea! Although also covered in scientific tomes, the more distinctive water animals invite a more creative approach. From using dolphins in early printed maps to symbolize the oceans, to brightly colored representations of sea horses and playful sketches of oysters, some creatures from the depths seem to capture the imaginations of authors, artists, and readers. Both categories show an enduring desire to dive below the surface and create images of the mostly unseen creatures that lurk below.
Early maps, such as this one from 1699, used large sea creatures both for decoration and symbols for the ocean.
Tachard, Voyage de Siam, des peres jesuites, envoyez par le roy aux Indes & a la Chine, 1686.
Bright colors and unusual shapes, such as this seahorse, can inspire more decorative representations by artists.
Calabi, Estratto dal Per l’arte rivista di arte decorativa, between 1909 and 1915.
Detailed, scientific illustrations—such as this one from Zoology of the Voyage of the HMS Beagle—can bring out the oddities of such species as the Scorpaena Histrio, or player scorpionfish.
Unctuous Sucker Fish
Goldsmith, Pictorial history of the earth and animated nature, 18–.
Oyster
Electric eel
Swordfish
