Hippopotame Zygaena Chien Marin - P. Lamy 1698

📜 Description
Antique etching by P. Lamy, published in Lyon by J. Certe in 1698, depicting “Hippopotame ou Cheval Marin - Zygaena - Chien Marin”. The plate comes from “Introduction à l’Ecriture Sainte” and presents three zoological subjects arranged vertically on a neutral scientific ground: a hippopotamus at the top, a hammerhead fish at the center, and a marine dog or shark-like fish at the bottom. The inscriptions identify each animal directly and give the image a classificatory and didactic function, typical of late 17th-century illustrated encyclopedic and biblical works. The composition is clear and functional, intended to compare different animals through separate figures, with the printed letter “RRR” acting as a plate or reference mark. The work has documentary and collectible value as a 17th-century zoological old print.

📚 Historical-artistic note
P. Lamy’s engravings for “Introduction à l’Ecriture Sainte” reflect the didactic use of images in religious, historical and natural-history publications of the late 17th century. Published by J. Certe in Lyon, the plate combines explanatory captions and animal figures, offering a compact visual repertory for readers interested in biblical, geographical and natural subjects.

🧾 Technical sheet
Type: antique print, etching
Author / Maker: P. Lamy
Publisher / Printer: J. Certe, Lyon
Place: Lyon
Period: 1698
Material: paper
Technique: etching
Subject / Title: Hippopotame ou Cheval Marin - Zygaena - Chien Marin
Dimensions: sheet 18.5 x 25 cm; plate 16 x 21.5 cm
Marks / signatures / inscriptions: inscriptions “Hippopotame ou Cheval Marin”, “Zygaena”, “Chien Marin”; plate mark “RRR”

🔍 Condition Report
In very good overall condition; blank verso; paper consistent with age.