About this sheet
British Moths and Caterpillars on Mullein – Humphreys & Westwood, 1845
This original hand-colored lithograph originates from British Moths and Their Transformations by Henry Noel Humphreys and John Obadiah Westwood, published in London in 1845. The plate presents a beautifully observed study of British moths, their caterpillars, and their host plant, the common mullein (Verbascum), combining scientific accuracy with the decorative appeal that made Victorian natural history illustration so admired.
At the center of the composition stands a flowering mullein spike rendered in delicate shades of yellow and green. Around the plant are various moth species shown in flight and at rest, while several caterpillars feed on the foliage below. The plate illustrates different stages of development and highlights the close relationship between insects and their food plants, reflecting the growing scientific interest in entomology during the nineteenth century.
Henry Noel Humphreys was one of the foremost natural history illustrators of Victorian Britain, while the renowned zoologist John Obadiah Westwood supplied the scientific expertise. Their collaboration resulted in one of the most attractive illustrated works on British Lepidoptera produced during the period. The plates are admired for their careful observation, refined hand coloring, and harmonious compositions that balance scientific information with artistic beauty.
The subtle palette of soft browns, greens, and yellows gives this print a timeless decorative quality. Whether displayed in a country house, library, study, conservatory, or contemporary interior, it serves as both an elegant work of art and a fascinating document of nineteenth-century natural science.
Collectors value these plates for their combination of botanical and entomological subjects, their connection to two important Victorian naturalists, and their role in one of the landmark illustrated works on British moths.
This is an original 1845 hand-colored lithograph, not a reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only.
Framing tips: Particularly effective in a dark walnut, ebonized, or antique gilt frame with a warm ivory museum mat. The vertical composition works well as a standalone piece or grouped with other natural history plates from the same work.
