One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1828
Sheet size
29.5 × 21.6 cm (11.6 × 8.5 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-06898
Condition
Good antique condition. Light overall toning with small scattered foxing spots, a faint central spot between the birds, and mild handling marks in the margins. Colours remain strong and well-preserved. Comes with matting board.
A finely hand-coloured lithograph from the early 19th century showing two striking seabirds: the Atlantic Puffin (Le Macareux) above and the Tufted Puffin (Le Macareux du Kamtchatka) below. Both are depicted standing on rocky coastal ledges, characteristic of their nesting habitats, with precise attention to their distinctive bills and plumage. The Atlantic Puffin features its black-and-white body and bright, striped bill, while the Tufted Puffin is shown with its rich black plumage, golden head plumes, and deep red-and-yellow bill. Each figure is numbered to match the French caption below, and the plate is inscribed “Pl. 187” at upper right. The imprint reads “Lith. de Th. Lejeune, Éditeur à Bruxelles.”
Published between 1828 and 1833 in Brussels by Th. Lejeune, this plate comes from the expanded illustrated edition of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon’s 'Oeuvres complètes'. Buffon’s monumental 'Histoire naturelle' (1749–1788) shaped Enlightenment science and influenced later naturalists including Darwin. The Brussels continuation modernised his work with newly prepared lithographic plates, many by the lithographer Burggraaff, hand-finished in colour to bring accuracy and vibrancy to the species depicted.
The Atlantic Puffin, often nicknamed the “sea parrot” for its colourful bill, breeds in the North Atlantic, while the Tufted Puffin inhabits the North Pacific from Japan and Kamchatka to Alaska. These two species, placed together in this composition, reflect both the scientific interest in comparative zoology and the decorative appeal of exotic and northern fauna to 19th-century collectors.
Condition report: Very good for age. Light, even toning with a few faint spots, most noticeable in the blank background; colours fresh and well preserved. Comes in a green matting board.
Framing tips: A soft cream or light grey mat will highlight the birds’ vivid bill colours, while a narrow black or dark oak frame will suit both contemporary and traditional interiors. Archival mounting and UV-filtering glass are recommended to protect the delicate hand colouring.
Technique: Hand-coloured lithograph on wove paper Maker: Lith. de Th. Lejeune, published Brussels, 1828–1833; after Buffon’s Oeuvres complètes (Plate 187)
