Canicula. L'Anche ou Roussette - Albert Flamen

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Albert Flamen, depicting two dogfish on a beach with maritime activity in the background.

This etching by Albert Flamen depicts two dogfish resting upon a shoreline. Flamen, a Flemish artist active in Paris during the seventeenth century, produced a significant body of work focused on natural history and aquatic life. His technical approach to the copper plate allows for a precise rendering of the shark skin texture and the surrounding coastal environment.

The composition places the specimens in the foreground, with the sandy beach and scattered shells providing a grounded sense of place. In the distance, the horizon line features subtle maritime activity, including small boats and distant sails, which provides a sense of scale and atmosphere. The work is part of a series documenting various fish species, often accompanied by Latin and French nomenclature, as seen in the lower margin of this print.

Flamen's work reflects the period's interest in empirical observation and the classification of the natural world. The etching technique captures the play of light across the dorsal surfaces of the fish, while the cross-hatching in the shadows adds depth to the scene. The inclusion of the phrase 'Cum privil. Regis' indicates that the print was produced under royal privilege, a common practice for artists of the era to protect their intellectual property. This piece offers a glimpse into the intersection of scientific curiosity and artistic practice in the mid-seventeenth century, providing a detailed look at marine biology through the lens of a skilled printmaker.