Birds · 18th century
€ 540
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
good. Vibrant colors, minimal fading. Paper shows light toning and minor foxing. Some handling marks, mostly outside plate-mark, not affecting image quality.
This exquisite hand-colored engraving, titled *Die Kleine Weiße und Braune Ente*, features a serene depiction of the Small Brown and White Duck (*Anas minor, ex albo et fulco vario*) resting peacefully against a botanical backdrop. Part of Johann Michael Seligmann’s renowned *Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel* (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds), the artwork integrates the natural beauty of birds and plants, offering a comprehensive view of the 18th-century fascination with natural history.
The plate, numbered "Tab. CXVI," combines the delicate details of the duck’s plumage with the intricate depiction of a fruiting plant, labeled with scientific Latin. The vibrant hand-coloring enhances the realistic textures of both the bird and the botanical elements, creating a harmonious and striking composition. The French title, *Petit Canard brun*, highlights the historical context of this engraving as a bridge between art and early ornithological documentation.
This piece is perfect for collectors of antique ornithological prints or enthusiasts of botanical and natural history illustrations. Seligmann’s ability to combine scientific precision with artistic elegance ensures this engraving remains a timeless and valuable work in the history of naturalist art.
