Giant tortoise (1890)

Dated 1890, "Giant tortoise" is an artwork by F. E. Wachsmuth. Historical background, 1890: Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is landscape. Plants & Animals in brief: Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal. Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna.

Everything for "Giant tortoise" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

German, 1870–1910

If you like the visual language of F. E. Wachsmuth, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.