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Exquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-CenturyExquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-CenturyExquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-CenturyExquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-CenturyExquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-CenturyExquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century

Insects & Arachnids

Exquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century

€ 240

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Mapmaker / artist
After E. Donovan, a renowned British naturalist and illustrator
Technique
Original 18th-century hand-colored engraving, dated 1792
Sheet size
23 × 13.5 cm (9.1 × 5.3 in)
Reference
BG-13887-1, BG-13887-2
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, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

About this sheet

Antique Illustrations of Colorful Insects: Hand-Colored Engravings from the 18th and 19th Century

This exquisite pair of antique prints showcases vibrant depictions of colorful insects, each reflecting the artistry and precision of natural history illustration from its era. These are not merely prints but windows into the scientific and artistic exploration of nature in the 18th and 19th centuries.

First Print: Eighteenth-Century Hand-Colored Engraving
Subject: Beautifully rendered moths alongside an oak leaf, featuring the Maid Moth and Clifden Beauty.
Artist: After E. Donovan, a renowned British naturalist and illustrator.
Technique: Original 18th-century hand-colored engraving, dated 1792.
Provenance: A striking example of Edward Donovan’s meticulous work, blending scientific detail with artistic elegance.

Second Print: Early 19th-Century Butterfly Illustration
Subject: A pair of Papilio Evander butterflies, with the upper figure representing a male and the lower a female. The modern accepted name (as of 2012) is Papilio anchisiades capyscapys.
Date: February 1821.
Source: Plate 101 from Zoological Illustrations, Volume II.
Artist: William Swainson, F.R.S., F.L.S., a distinguished zoologist and artist celebrated for his contributions to natural history.

These prints, with their vibrant hand-coloring and delicate detail, exemplify the marriage of art and science during their respective periods. Perfect for collectors of natural history art or as a centerpiece in a curated interior design.

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Ask about this sheet

Exquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century
Exquisite Hand-Colored Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century
Ref. BG-13887-1, BG-13887-2 · € 240
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