The New Look of Science....260 Years Ago

Between 1752 and 1756 in Paris, Jaques Fabien Gautier, or Gautier d'Agoty (1717-1785) published a six-volume, 18-part set titled Observations sur l'histoire naturelle, sur la physique et sur la peinture... While such publications were not uncommon at the time, what set this one apart was that it contained plates printed in color, the first science periodical to ever do so. He employed a well-established intaglio printmaking process known as mezzotint, a method of engraving in tone.¹ 

The Society holds two volumes in one of d'Agoty's Observations sur l'histoire naturelle. In addition to observing specimens of natural history, like plants, mammals, birds, and humans, d'Agoty also included obeservations on physical science as well as art and painting. Below are some of the striking images that appear in the work. Enjoy!

[Disclaimer: If you got squeamish when dissecting a frog in high school, be aware that there are a couple of images of internal anatomy of humans and animals.]

^1. Osborne, Harold, The Oxford Companion to Art, Oxford University Press, 1970.