Birds · 18th century
€ 260
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good. The paper has a light brownish hue over it, adding to its patina. Original hand-coloring. Study the images carefully.
The image is an original antique handcolored plate from "A Natural History of English Insects" published in 1749 by Eleazar Albin. Albin, likely of German origin and known initially as Weiss, changed his surname to Albin upon moving to London. His work as an art teacher and his commissions for naturalists like Joseph Dandridge and Sir Hans Sloane led him to produce meticulously accurate illustrations of insects and their life cycles.
The plate shown in the image is part of Albin's comprehensive study of English insects, showcasing the life cycle of the Elephant Hawk-Moth (Deilephila elpenor) and the Bedstraw (Gallium), which is the moth's food source. Albin’s approach to natural history illustration was influenced by Maria Sibylla Merian, another naturalist and artist renowned for her detailed and scientific depictions of insects and plants.
Albin's dedication to visual accuracy is notable; he insisted that his illustrations were drawn from life, setting them apart from those of his contemporaries. This dedication to realism was well-regarded and earned him the patronage of influential figures such as the Dowager Duchess of Beaufort and Caroline, Princess of Wales, to whom "A Natural History of English Insects" was dedicated. The publication of this work was also supported by William Derham, a Fellow of the Royal Society.
