Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Sheet size
23 × 13.5 cm (9.1 × 5.3 in)
Reference
BG-13887-1, BG-13887-2
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.