About this sheet
Title
Male Common Tern (Visdiefje) – Sepp & Nozeman Hand-Colored Bird Print, 1789
Description
Original antique hand-colored ornithological engraving titled “Larus minor cinereus, mas,” depicting the male Common Tern, known in Dutch as the visdiefje. The bird is shown standing on a rocky outcrop, rendered with great precision and sensitivity, accompanied by a detailed anatomical inset illustrating wing and feather structure. The composition reflects the late eighteenth-century shift toward scientific accuracy combined with lifelike presentation.
The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird with a wide circumpolar distribution, breeding across temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, and migrating to tropical and subtropical coastal regions during winter. The artist carefully captures the diagnostic features of the breeding male, including the light gray upperparts, pale underparts, black cap, slender pointed bill, and orange-red legs. Such detail allowed contemporary naturalists to distinguish the species from closely related terns, including the Arctic Tern.
This print originates from the monumental Dutch ornithological work “Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huishouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven,” published in Amsterdam between 1770 and 1829. Edited and authored by Cornelis Nozeman with contributions by Martinus Houttuyn, the plates were engraved and published by the Sepp family, notably Christiaan Andreas Sepp and his successors. This publication is regarded as the first major scientific study of birds in the Netherlands and one of the most important ornithological works of the eighteenth century.
The guiding principle of Nederlandsche Vogelen was to depict birds as they appear in nature, often close to life size and within a naturalistic setting. The combination of careful observation, scientific intent, and refined hand coloring makes these plates highly desirable to collectors of natural history prints.
This example dates to 1789 and is accompanied by the original descriptive text page, an important element for collectors seeking completeness and scholarly context.
Condition
Very good original condition with general age-related toning. The impression is strong, the hand coloring fresh, and the plate mark clearly visible. Original text page included. Please study images carefully.
Framing tips
This print presents beautifully in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with a wide ivory or warm off-white mat, allowing the bird and anatomical inset to stand out clearly. Museum glass is recommended to protect the hand coloring and fine engraved detail.
