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Fine Art Print : 1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate
Fine Art Prints from Science Photo Library
1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate
Copperplate, art by Laurilliard, engraving by Couet, (from Bru), Plate 1 in Cuviers account in " Annales du Museum National d Histoire Naturelle" 1804, Vol. 4, No 29. Cuviers reputation with fossils began with this animal to which he gave the latin name Megatherium americanum (Big American Mammal). The creature had been found in Argentina near Buenos Aires in 1787 (Darwin would make similar discoveries on the Beagle) and was sent to Madrid. It was mounted by Juan Bautista Bru and put on display. Cuvier wrote his description secondhand from drawings and a description sent by Bru. Cuvier realised it bore a resemblance to the much smaller tree sloth. He proposed Megatherium was a giant ground sloth. As such a big animal would have been seen if it were alive, Cuvier suggested must be extinct. Until that time most fossils were assumed to be of creatures still alive somewhere on the globe
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6319251
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Cuvier Extinct Extinction Fossil Giant Ground Sloth Mega Fauna Megatherium Pleistocene South American Palaeontology
20"x16" (+3" Border) Fine Art Print
Experience the wonder of prehistoric creatures with our exquisite selection from the Media Storehouse Fine Art Prints range. This captivating print showcases the 1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate by Paul D. Stewart from the Science Photo Library. A masterpiece of 19th-century scientific illustration, this print is based on the original engraving by Couet and art by Laurilliard, taken from Cuvier's account in the "Annales du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle." Bring the mystery and majesty of extinct giants into your home or office with this beautiful and intricately detailed work of art.
20x16 image printed on 26x22 Fine Art Rag Paper with 3" (76mm) white border. Our Fine Art Prints are printed on 300gsm 100% acid free, PH neutral paper with archival properties. This printing method is used by museums and art collections to exhibit photographs and art reproductions.
Our fine art prints are high-quality prints made using a paper called Photo Rag. This 100% cotton rag fibre paper is known for its exceptional image sharpness, rich colors, and high level of detail, making it a popular choice for professional photographers and artists. Photo rag paper is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print. If you can afford to spend more on a higher quality paper, then Photo Rag is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 50.8cm x 36.7cm (20" x 14.4")
Estimated Product Size is 66cm x 55.9cm (26" x 22")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Mammals
> Mammutidae
> Americanum
> Animals
> Mammals
> Small Mammals
> Popular Themes
> Sloths
> South America
> Argentina
> Buenos Aires
> South America
> Argentina
> Related Images
> South America
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the 1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate, a remarkable piece of artwork that holds great significance in the field of paleontology. Created by Laurilliard and engraved by Couet, this copperplate illustration is featured as Plate 1 in Cuvier's account within "Annales du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle" from 1804. Cuvier's reputation with fossils began with this very animal, which he named Megatherium americanum, meaning Big American Mammal. Discovered near Buenos Aires in Argentina back in 1787 (a discovery similar to those made by Darwin on his famous voyage aboard the Beagle), it was later sent to Madrid where Juan Bautista Bru meticulously mounted it for display. Despite not having seen the creature firsthand, Cuvier astutely observed its resemblance to the smaller tree sloth and proposed that Megatherium was actually a giant ground sloth. This groundbreaking realization led him to suggest that such a colossal creature must be extinct since no living specimen had ever been encountered. At that time, most fossils were believed to belong to creatures still existing somewhere on Earth. However, Cuvier's findings challenged this notion and opened up new possibilities for understanding prehistoric life. The image captured here beautifully depicts this ancient South American mega fauna and serves as a testament to both Cuvier's pioneering work and the incredible diversity of our planet's past inhabitants.
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