c1751 Antique Nature Print - by Direxit Vintage lithograph

Beautiful antique plate with several sea anemones from the renowned Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. This monumental work, edited and partially written by Diderot, d'Alembert, and Voltaire, was the first true encyclopedia and is a hallmark of the Enlightenment. Published between 1751 and 1772, it brought together the knowledge of the era and became not just a source of learning but a powerful tool in the ideological battle between secular and religious authorities. The plate was engraved by Benard Direxit who was an 18th century French engraver praised for his high quality and accurate engravings. There is some toning, more noticeable in the margins, but overall it is a very well-preserved example.