Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723-1799)

German medical doctor and naturalist, was the most important ichthyologist of the 18th century. Between 1782 and 1795 he published his 'Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische' in 12 volumes. A comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work on fishes with 432 hand-coloured copper engravings. The first three volumes 'Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische Deutschlands' are describing fishes in Germany and their economic use. The remaining volumes 'Naturgeschichte der ausländischen Fische' are dealing with fishes from other parts of the world. The copper plates were made in cooperation with many well-known artists and engravers of his time (see single pages).