Porbeagle Shark and Spiny Dogfish (Lamna nasus, Acanthias vulgaris) – Original hand-colored Antique Print by Prêtre

Two Sharks, Two Temperaments

This original hand-colored engraving presents a paired study of the Porbeagle (Lamna nasus) and the Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), set side by side like contrasting essays in form. One is streamlined and pale, an emblem of open-water motion; the other darker and textured, marked by spines and a more rugged profile.

The pairing is quietly intelligent: the viewer reads difference at a glance — head shape, fin geometry, the articulation of the gill slits — yet the overall tone remains elegant and composed. Prêtre’s hand brings refinement even to predatory subjects, turning comparative zoology into a balanced, decorative plate.

The plate belongs to the Italian edition of the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali (Florence, Battelli press), a monumental publication in which Pierre Antoine Prêtre’s zoological subjects stand out for their refinement and display quality.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The Porbeagle is rendered in soft olive-greys and pale cream, with a subtle gradient that suggests glossy skin and a muscular, forward-driving body. Its clean silhouette reads like a classical profile — an economy of line that makes it feel swift even in stillness.

The Spiny Dogfish, by contrast, carries warmer browns and granular stippling. Small protrusions and the suggestion of dorsal spines introduce a tactile roughness, while the more compact body and heavier tail give the second figure an earthier, bottom-nearer character. Together, the two forms create a refined visual dialogue.

About the Subject

Nineteenth-century encyclopedias often used paired plates to teach through contrast: similarity of “sharkness,” but difference of design. The Porbeagle was associated with colder, offshore waters and a powerful build suited to sustained movement, while the Spiny Dogfish was recognized as resilient and widely distributed, armed with defensive spines that made it distinctive in both handling and appearance. In print culture of the period, these comparative plates served a double purpose — scientific classification and visual memory — giving readers a way to “recognize” the sea through form as much as through name.

Condition Report

The engraving is in excellent antique condition, with clean margins and a fresh, well-preserved hand-coloured surface. Printed on original smooth wove paper (non-laid), consistent with Italian scientific editions of the period. No watermark has been observed. The impression is clear and the colour remains vibrant, with no visible losses.

Details

• Artist: Pierre Antoine Prêtre
• Work / Publication: Dizionario di Scienze Naturali – Sacchetti Collection
• Period: early 19th century
• Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
• Paper: Original smooth wove paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 22 × 15 cm

For further context on Pierre Antoine Prêtre and his contribution to nineteenth-century zoological illustration, see our editorial feature:

Pierre Antoine Prêtre – Illustrator of Natural Science and Marine Life

Looking for: porbeagle engraving, Lamna nasus print, spiny dogfish illustration, antique shark engraving by Prêtre.