Common Scoter – Antique Bird Print ‘Anas Nigra’ by Nozeman & Sepp, 1770
€ 800
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1770
Mapmaker / artist
J.C. Sepp (Artist),M. Houttuyn (Author)
Sheet size
53.5 × 37 cm (21.1 × 14.6 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05991/174
Condition
Very good. General age-related toning, no foxing, a few light occasional spots and some wrinkles in the margins. Accompanied by the original descriptive text sheet.
About this sheet
Common Scoter – Antique Bird Print ‘Anas Nigra’ by Nozeman & Sepp, 1770
This fine hand-colored engraving depicts the Common Scoter (Anas nigra), a large sea duck also historically referred to in Dutch as the "Zwarte Zee-Eend" or "Wigstaart." The plate was published in Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven (Amsterdam, 1770–1829), the first comprehensive ornithological study of the Netherlands. Initiated by Cornelis Nozeman and continued by Martinus Houttuyn and the Sepp family, this monumental work is celebrated for its lifelike, close-to-life-sized portrayals of birds in their natural settings.
The engraving captures the strikingly dark appearance of the Common Scoter, one of the most distinctive sea ducks of northern Europe. The bird is rendered with glossy black plumage, broad webbed feet adapted for diving, and its characteristic bill, detailed here with subtle hand-applied coloration. Above the main figure, an additional vignette highlights the head in closer detail, emphasizing the distinctive structure of the beak. The accompanying original text describes the species’ size, coloration, and distribution, noting its presence along the coasts of the North Sea and beyond, as well as its importance to natural history collectors of the period. With Dutch names " zwarte zee-eend, wigstaart" noted.
Beyond its artistic appeal, this print is historically significant as it documents the species at a time when ornithology was emerging as a scientific discipline. Nederlandsche Vogelen remains one of the most important bird books of the eighteenth century, admired both for its accuracy and its artistry.
Condition: Very good. General age-related toning, no foxing, a few light occasional spots and some wrinkles in the margins. Accompanied by the original descriptive text sheet.
Framing tips: A dark wood or black frame with a soft cream or light-gray mount will highlight the deep black tones of the scoter while preserving the elegance of the 18th-century engraving.
