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Chirodropus Jellyfish – Ernst Haeckel Original 1879 Marine Lithograph
€645.00
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An original 1879 lithograph by Ernst Haeckel from Das System der Medusen, depicting the extraordinary anatomy of Chirodropus, one of the most remarkable Cubomedusae. Combining scientific precision, monumental scale and elegant nineteenth-century lithographic craftsmanship, this authentic marine study reveals the hidden architecture of one of nature’s most complex jellyfish forms.
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Your print will be carefully prepared and shipped worldwide via trusted couriers (UPS or similar).
Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
The Hidden Anatomy of the Ocean
This original lithograph from Ernst Haeckel’s monumental scientific masterpiece Das System der Medusen (1879) depicts Chirodropus, one of the most remarkable forms among the Cubomedusae. Created during Haeckel’s direct study of jellyfish morphology and bearing the important plate credit “E. Haeckel del.”, the work reveals marine anatomy with extraordinary clarity and visual ambition.
A rare example of nineteenth-century science transformed into monumental visual art, this plate turns the hidden structures of a jellyfish into a composition of striking scale, balance and anatomical refinement.
— • —
A Monumental Study of Chirodropus
The composition is dominated by a large central anatomical study, surrounded by secondary figures that clarify the organism’s structure and movement. Haeckel’s treatment gives the plate an almost architectural presence, while preserving the precision required by scientific illustration.
The result is both analytical and poetic: the medusa is not merely described, but visually elevated into a form of natural architecture.
Visual and Interior Presence
With its restrained tonal palette, large central form and delicate surrounding details, this lithograph has a powerful yet quiet presence. It is particularly suited to a collector’s study, a natural history library, a contemporary interior or a cabinet of curiosities where scientific imagery and refined visual design meet.
Displayed on its own, the plate offers a sophisticated focal point; paired with other Haeckel medusae, it contributes to a broader visual dialogue on marine anatomy and nineteenth-century scientific imagination.
Heritage Stories
Discover more about Ernst Haeckel, his marine studies and the visual world behind his extraordinary jellyfish plates in our editorial feature:
Ernst Haeckel and the Beauty of Jellyfish
Condition Report
Printed on original nineteenth-century paper and preserved in very good antique condition. Minor age-related toning, occasional spotting and gentle signs of handling may be present, consistent with authentic scientific lithographs of this period. Please examine the photographs carefully, as each impression retains its own individual antique character.
Details
- Work: Das System der Medusen
- Artist / Author: Ernst Haeckel
- Plate credit: “E. Haeckel del.”
- Date: 1879
- Technique: Original 19th-century lithograph
- Publisher: Gustav Fischer, Jena
- Lithography: Lith. Anst. v. F. Giltsch, Jena
- Plate: Taf. XXVI – Cubomedusae
- Subject: Chirodropus
- Sheet size: approx. 35 × 27.5 cm
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