Antique Dragonfly Engraving – Corydale Cornu, French Neuropteres Print c.1800
€ 207
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1800
Sheet size
14.6 × 23.3 cm (5.7 × 9.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14199-7
Condition
Original antique copper engraving with original hand coloring. Light, even age toning throughout, with minor spotting and gentle handling marks consistent with age. Margins intact, with no major tears or losses. Overall a clean and attractive example.
About this sheet
Antique Dragonfly Engraving – Corydale Cornu, French Neuropteres Print c.1800
This refined antique natural history engraving depicts the Corydale cornu, a striking winged insect from the order Névroptères, rendered with precision and elegant restraint. Issued circa 1800 for the Dictionnaire Universel d’Histoire Naturelle, this plate is Névroptères, Plate 2, engraved after a drawing by Jean Baptiste Blanchard, whose work stands among the finest French scientific illustrations of the period.
The composition is dominated by a single, centrally placed insect shown with wings fully extended, creating a calm and symmetrical presence on the sheet. The wings are delicately engraved, revealing intricate veining, while the elongated body is softly hand-colored in warm ochres and pale browns. Additional anatomical details of the head and mandibles appear above, reinforcing the scientific purpose of the plate while adding visual balance.
The restrained palette and generous surrounding white space give the print a light, architectural quality that translates beautifully into modern interiors. Although created as an educational illustration, the engraving now functions equally well as a decorative artwork, appreciated for its symmetry, clarity, and timeless elegance. Displayed on its own, it serves as a quiet focal point, well suited to studies, libraries, bedrooms, or curated gallery walls.
Condition report: Original antique copper engraving with original hand coloring. Light, even age toning throughout, with minor spotting and gentle handling marks consistent with age. Margins intact, with no major tears or losses. Overall a clean and attractive example.
Framing tips: This print frames best in dark walnut, ebonized wood, or smoked oak with a slim to medium-profile frame. Use a wide warm-ivory mat to emphasize the delicate engraving and preserve the airy composition. Museum or UV-filtering glass is recommended.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring Maker: Jean Baptiste Blanchard (after), France, circa 1800
