Wien, Gerlach & Schenk, 1896. Large oblong folio (43 x 57 cm) stunning chromolithographed plate in a fantastic Art Nouveau style.

A very rare plate from Anton Johann Nepomuk Seder's Das Thier [ l'Animal - The Animal], with the finest and most stunning plates of Art Nouveau book design. It is hard to underestimate the beauty and importance of this work by the famous German Art Nouveau painter and art professor, who lived from 1850 to 1916. Each plate from this work is a true highlight of artistic design and is absolutely breathtaking. Seder's work had many followers in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements and afterwards; original individual plates are still highly in demand. The quality of this chromolithograph is absolutely first class, the use of many different colours gives this plate a great depth which is not possible with even the most advanced printing techniques of today. Very light, non-obtrusive toning to the margins (which are darker than in most plates), some creasing and small chips to corners and edges. Overall this is a very well-preserved print. This lobster plate is one of the most impressive of the entire series. Evers, Ornamentale Vorlagenwerke, 2160; Schneider-Henn, Ornament und Dekoration, 200.