Lot 67
**Originally Listed At $400**
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (French, 1772-1844). "H.N. Mammiferes" Plate 7 - 1. Belier a Large Queue 1. Moufflon a Manchettes - Published in Paris, ca. 1809-1828. An etching of Egyptian Barbary sheep by French naturalist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. These sheep once covered virtually all of Egypt, but by the mid 19th century were limited to the area near the Libyan border. Geoffroy accompanied Napoleon on his conquest of Egypt in 1798 and made contributions to the 24 volumes of the Description de l'Egypte (180928; Description of Egypt) having made observations of various mammals, reptiles, and fish. He later would transport specimens collected in Egypt to France, much to the dismay of the English. Size of sight view: 25.375" L x 16.7" W (64.5 cm x 42.4 cm) Size of frame: 33.625" L x 27.25" W (85.4 cm x 69.2 cm)
Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire was a French biologist who established a theory of "unity of composition". This principle postulated a major theme of comparative anatomy - that there is a single structural plan shared by all animals. Geoffroy also founded teratology which is the study of animal malformation. Geoffrey initially earned a law degree in 1790 and then studied medicine under Louis Daubenton. The next year, Daubenton appointed Geoffroy as superintendent of the cabinet of zoology at the Jardin des Plantes, a predecessor of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Geoffroy also accompanied Napoleon on his conquest of Egypt in 1798, contributing to the 24 volumes of the Description de l'Egypte (180928; Description of Egypt). He later would transport specimens collected in Egypt to France. Following his appointment as Professor of Zoology at the University of Paris in 1809, his research established a "unity of organic composition". Upon attempting to apply this notion to invertebrates in 1830, French naturalist Georges Cuvier disputed his theory. Geoffroy's theory would create a receptive audience for Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory, but Cuvier opposed evolution.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#163174
- Condition: This print has not been examined outside the frame but appears to have a strong plate mark and be in very nice condition save a few crease marks, very slight toning, and a few stains. Frame is excellent save slight scuff marks. Wired for suspension and ready to display.
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