Geology, Rocks, Pierre, Piedras, Dendrits, Pappenheim
“Histoire Naturelle” is an original 18th-century French natural history plate from the celebrated Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert.
The plate illustrates several unusual and naturally occurring stone formations, including dendrites—mineral patterns that form branching, plant-like designs within or on the surface of rock. These remarkable formations were of particular interest to early naturalists because their intricate shapes could resemble plants, landscapes, or architectural ruins, despite being produced by mineral processes.
The engraved subjects include “Pierre de Florence représentant des ruines” (a Florentine stone representing ruins), “Dendrites,” and “Pierre empreinte de Pappenheim.” Such objects reflect the 18th-century fascination with curious and visually remarkable specimens from the natural world, at a time when natural history was developing into a more systematic scientific discipline.
The Encyclopédie was one of the most important intellectual publications of the European Enlightenment. Along with its extensive text, it contained hundreds of engraved plates documenting subjects ranging from natural history and science to trades, crafts, technology, and the arts. These illustrations were intended to record and communicate knowledge through detailed visual representation.
This plate was engraved by Bernard after de la Rue and published in Paris circa 1770. It is an attractive example of an original 18th-century copper engraving suitable for collectors of antique scientific prints, natural history, mineralogy, geology, and Enlightenment-era book illustration.
Original antique print
Copper engraving by Bernard after de la Rue
From the Encyclopédie of Diderot and d'Alembert
Published in Paris, circa 1770
Crease in lower margin; light imprint
Image: 32 × 20.5 cm (12.5 × 8 in.)
Page size: 41 × 26.5 cm (16.1 × 9.6 in.)
$50.00 — 40% OFF → $30.00
