Depictions of the Deep: Illustrations in the Popular Press of Deep-Sea Animals from Jules Verne (1860’s) to William Beebe (1930’s) and beyond

Our vision of deep-sea life changed dramatically with the results of scientific explorations and study of the deep that began in the 1860’s. Mythical monsters, epitomized by Jules Verne’s giant octopus, gave way to mysterious landscapes inhabited by odd creatures actually dredged up from the deep. While we now know of the diversity and unusual life cycles of deep-sea creatures, visions of the deep as a world of monstrous creatures persists today in the popular press.

Our vision of deep-sea life changed dramatically with the results of scientific explorations and study of the deep that began in the 1860’s. Mythical monsters, epitomized by Jules Verne’s giant octopus, gave way to mysterious landscapes inhabited by odd creatures actually dredged up from the deep. While we now know of the diversity and unusual life cycles of deep-sea creatures, visions of the deep as a world of monstrous creatures persists today in the popular press.

scientific illustrations popular press oceanography deep-sea exploration history of science history of oceanography marine biology

illustration scientifique océanographie exploration sous-marine histoire de la science eaux profondes histoire de l’océanographie biologie marine