Calopteryx & Lestes Damselfly Lithograph from Die Geradflügler, 1908
€ 290
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1908
Publisher
F.E. Perthes, Gotha
Sheet size
27 × 19 cm (10.6 × 7.5 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14308-11
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good. Minor age toning, scattered light foxing, and gentle handling wear consistent with age. Colors remain fresh and well preserved with strong, clear impressions.
About this sheet
An original color lithograph depicting several of Central Europe's most elegant damselfly species, taken from Richard Tümpel's celebrated natural history work Die Geradflügler Mitteleuropas, published in Gotha by F.E. Perthes in 1908.
This striking plate (Tafel XI) features the brilliant Calopteryx splendens and Calopteryx virgo, renowned for their metallic bodies and iridescent wings, alongside numerous species of Lestes, including Lestes sponsa, Lestes viridis, Lestes nympha, Lestes virens, Lestes fusca, and Lestes barbara. Male and female specimens are carefully distinguished, reflecting the scientific rigor of early twentieth-century entomology.
Executed in rich chromolithography, the plate combines exceptional taxonomic accuracy with a refined decorative quality. The dramatic dark wings of the Calopteryx species create a particularly striking composition, making this one of the most visually compelling sheets from the series. It works beautifully as a standalone artwork in both contemporary and traditional interiors.
Sold unframed. Framed images are for inspiration only and may not represent the exact scale of the artwork.
Creator: Richard Tümpel (1854–1928) Publisher: F.E. Perthes, Gotha Date: 1908 Origin: Germany Medium: Original color lithograph on paper Period: Early 20th Century
Condition: Good. Minor age toning, scattered light foxing, and gentle handling wear consistent with age. Colors remain fresh and well preserved with strong, clear impressions.
