Ardea Stellaris Rufa – Eurasian Bittern from Nederlandsche Vogelen, 1809

€ 850

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1809
Mapmaker / artist: M. Houttuyn (Author),J.C. Sepp (Artist)
Technique: Engraved
Sheet size: 53.5 × 37 cm (21.1 × 14.6 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-05991/177

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Excellent impression with strong hand coloring. Plate visible, shows minimal age toning and only faint handling marks in margins. Text pages in very good condition, clean and crisp with light toning consistent with age. Paper remains strong.

About this sheet

Ardea Stellaris Rufa – Eurasian Bittern from Nederlandsche Vogelen, 1809

This finely detailed hand-colored engraving depicts the Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris), here under the scientific name Ardea Stellaris Rufa, in a characteristic pose with its bill raised skyward – a behavior used for camouflage among reeds. The artist captures the bird’s strikingly patterned plumage, with intricate mottling in warm browns, creams, and black, blending seamlessly into its wetland habitat. This wading bird inhabits dense reed beds and marshes, and is most often detected by the deep booming call of the male during breeding season rather than by sight. Its diet is varied, including fish, amphibians, small mammals, insects, and crustaceans.

The accompanying original Dutch text pages provide rich historical and scientific observations on the species, its behavior, nesting habits, and physical characteristics, as understood in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These pages detail the bird’s elusive habits, morphological variations, and distinctions noted by contemporary ornithologists such as Linnaeus and Brisson.

This print originates from Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huishouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreven (Amsterdam, 1770–1829) by Cornelius Nozeman, Martinus Houttuyn, and Jan Christiaan Sepp. It remains the first and most important ornithological study produced in the Netherlands, remarkable for its life-sized depictions and scientific accuracy, combining artistic skill with natural history documentation.

Condition summary: Excellent impression with strong hand coloring. Plate visible, shows minimal age toning and only faint handling marks in margins. Text pages in very good condition, clean and crisp with light toning consistent with age. Paper remains strong with no significant tears or repairs.

Framing tips: A light cream or soft ivory mount will accentuate the warm earth tones of the plumage. A dark wooden frame, such as walnut or oak, will complement the naturalistic theme. For preservation, UV-protective glass is recommended to safeguard pigments and paper.