Physique Sacree, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Bible.
AUCTION 58 |
Thursday, May 02nd,
2013 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters
Lot 262
(SCIENCES). SCHEUCHZER, JOHANN JACOB.
Physique Sacree, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Bible.
Amsterdam: Pierre Schenk & Pierre Mortier 1732-37
Est: $12,000 - $15,000
PRICE REALIZED $29,000
This enormous work, in eight folio volumes, represents an attempt to find correspondences between the Bible and the current state of scientific research and evidence. The hundreds of fine engraved plates illustrate biblical scenes and especially focus on botanical, zoological, astronomical, geographical, architectural, religious and emblematic representations. They often often represent the struggle between faith (or superstition) and science.
Johann Jakob Scheuchzer (1672 -1733) was a Swiss scholar born in Zürich. Being both medically and scientifically trained he was appointed the town’s chief physician. He wrote a number of scientific works, often of observations from travels undertaken.