Horsmakreel – Markus Elieser Bloch, 1782-1795

HORSE MACKEREL

“Scomber Trachurus/Der Steeker/Le Maquereau bâtard/The Scad” (plate 54), copper engraving made by Gabriel Bodenehr after the drawing of Krüger jr, for Markus Elieser Bloch’s “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische” published in Berlin between 1782 and 1795. With original hand colouring. Size: 19 x 38 cm.

Bloch devoted a significant part of his life to his “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische,” which is considered to have laid the foundations of the science of ichthyology. The publication was well-received and widely subscribed, leading to five editions in German and French. Bloch made little or no alteration in the systematic arrangement established by Peter Artedi and Carl Linnaeus, although he was inclined to modify the classification based on the structure of the gills. He found it necessary to add 19 new genera and described 276 species previously unknown to science, many of which were found in remote ocean regions and were popular for their bright colors or unique shapes.

Scomber Trachurus is a species of fish in the mackerel family Scombridae. It is commonly known as the Atlantic horse mackerel or simply horse mackerel. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the northern coast of South America to the north of Scandinavia, and inhabits both inshore and offshore waters. Scomber Trachurus is a small-to-medium sized fish, reaching lengths of up to 40 cm and a weight of up to 1.5 kg. It has a silver-blue back, with a white belly and long, slender body. The horse mackerel feeds on small pelagic fishes, squid, and crustaceans. Today it is an important species for commercial and recreational fishing, and is consumed as fresh or canned product in various parts of the world.

Bloch is considered the most important ichthyologist of the 18th century.

Price: Euro 350,-