Thought I'd explain a bit about the rationale and method for this tumblr. I was surprised there wasn't (so far as I know) already a comprehensive website documenting early palaeoart history, as the artworks are out of copyright now and, although there is quite a lot, I don't get the impression there's an unmanageable number (maybe I'll change my mind once I look properly for all the many depictions of mammoths).
As the name suggests it will mostly be restricted to 19th century (and earlier) reconstructions in life of prehistoric organisms that lived up until roughly the end of the Ice Ages. For the early 1800s I've included skeletals which included body outlines as well as they were a historically important step towards full restorations. With illustrations of things such as plants and invertebrates it's sometimes difficult to tell if a figure is meant to depict a well preserved fossil or the organism in life so I've used my judgement.
If the exact same illustration is reproduced later in a different publication I've currently only listed the first appearance that I'm aware of, but I may revisit that and edit posts to include reprints. If a picture was copied but redrawn I've posted both the original and the copies as it's interesting to see how palaeoart memes spread and were propagated.
I've been trying to post roughly chronologically (currently up to the 1870s) but I'll add any earlier ones I missed and will edit old posts with better quality versions if I find one, or with extra info, and if possible links to where the original source can be read online.
I'm sure I've made mistakes and missed things so any additions, corrections, higher-res versions, links etc. please let me know as it's very much an ongoing WIP. Hope people find this collection useful and/or interesting.
