Antique Frontispiece of Birds and Putti by Merian (1660)

Description: Antique print titled 'Dr. J. Jonstons Beschrijving van de Natuur der Vogelen (..)'. Frontispiece of the Dutch edition of 'Historiae Naturalis de Avibus' by John Johnston. Translated from Latin to Dutch by M. Grausius, published by Schipper, Amsterdam, 1660 (with plates by Merian).

Artists and Engravers: John Johnston (or Johnstone, 1603-1675) was a descendant of a Scottish family. Born in Sambter, Poland, he studied extensively at the famous universities of the day, including St. Andrews, Scotland, Cambridge & Leiden. After many years traveling in Europe, he settled in Silesia. Matthaus Merian was a leading German engraver of the day, from a prominent family of engravers and artists, and the father of Maria Merian.