Gigantic Whale – The Greenland Whale (or Baloena Musculus) – George Johann Scharf (1832) – Vintage Lithograph Poster Print

George Johann Scharf’s Gigantic Whale presents one of the great spectacles of 19th-century natural-history illustration: an enormous whale shown alongside its complete skeleton, with tiny human figures providing a dramatic sense of scale. The animal depicted was the famous whale that washed ashore near Ostend, Belgium, in November 1827. Scharf combines scientific observation with theatrical presentation, showing both the living animal and its skeletal structure, while small scenes at the bottom depict the skeleton on exhibition and the building where visitors could see it. The result is as much a document of 19th-century public fascination with natural wonders as it is a study of whale anatomy.

Published in 1832, the lithograph records the remarkable dimensions attributed to the specimen, including its extraordinary length and enormous estimated weight. The whale became an international sensation after its discovery and was exhibited in Europe during the late 1820s and early 1830s, attracting both popular audiences and scientific interest. Although the original title calls it the “Greenland Whale” and gives the scientific name as Baloena Musculus, modern museum cataloging identifies the specimen as a blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Scharf’s combination of natural history, anatomical detail, spectacle, and visual scale makes Gigantic Whale a fascinating example of vintage scientific illustration and 19th-century curiosity imagery.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction

– Paper weight: 189 g/m2

– For indoor use only

– Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

– Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16″

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

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