Window to the Reef: The Stunning 19th-Century Art That Revealed the De

Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
Frame Measurements: 20-25mm (0.79"-0.98") thick, 10-14mm (0.4"-0.6") wide.
Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils).
Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.

This is a stunningly detailed scientific illustration, "Chromo X," from William Saville-Kent's landmark 1893 book, The Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The print showcases the rich biodiversity of the reef's echinoderms, featuring a dense composition of starfish, sea urchins, brittle stars, and sea lilies. Rendered with meticulous accuracy and in vibrant color, this chromolithograph is a brilliant example of 19th-century natural history art, serving as both a vital scientific document and a beautiful work of art.

Historical Tidbit

To create an illustration this vibrant and lifelike in the 1890s was an immense challenge. Without underwater photography or modern diving equipment, the artist and marine biologist William Saville-Kent had to rely on specimens dredged from the reef. These delicate creatures would lose their color and shape almost immediately upon being removed from the water. Saville-Kent was a pioneer in using aquariums for scientific study, which allowed him to observe and sketch the animals in their living state, painstakingly reconstructing their true appearance. For a world that had mostly only seen these creatures as dried, beige skeletons, his book was a revelation, bringing the kaleidoscopic reality of the living coral reef to the public for the very first time.

Our sturdy wooden framed posters come ready to hang and are printed on heavyweight white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious finish—designed to stand the test of time: