Mustelus antarcticus (NZ) : Smooth-hound (shark) (1875)

Dated 1875, "Mustelus antarcticus (NZ) : Smooth-hound (shark)" is an artwork by Frank Edward Clarke. Context for 1875: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. 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. Background on Plants & Animals: Images of plants and animals run from medieval herbals and bestiaries to the scientific illustration of the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is landscape.

"Mustelus antarcticus (NZ) : Smooth-hound (shark)" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. 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.

New Zealander, 1849–1899

If you like the visual language of Frank Edward Clarke, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.