About this sheet
Original Antique Print of Exotic Insects, Spider and Butterfly by Bertuch, c. 1800
Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting a spectacular collection of exotic insects and an arachnid, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” around the beginning of the 19th century.
The plate is titled “Insecten XXVII / Insectes XXVII” and presents six remarkable specimens, including beetles, a brightly colored locust or grasshopper, an enormous long-legged spider and a large swallowtail-type butterfly.
Dominating the center of the composition is Fig. 5, an extraordinary long-legged spider or related arachnid. Its exceptionally elongated legs radiate across much of the plate, creating an almost abstract composition and making it one of the most visually striking subjects on the sheet.
Fig. 1 depicts a spectacular tropical locust or grasshopper with brilliant red wings, contrasting blue-gray upper wings, yellow legs and a boldly striped abdomen.
Figs. 2–4 show three different beetles. Particularly decorative is Fig. 3, shown with its wings extended and richly colored in purple, green, red and blue.
Fig. 6 depicts a large exotic swallowtail-type butterfly with elegant elongated hindwings. Its brown wings are dramatically accented with areas of brilliant blue, yellow and black.
The plate is beautifully enhanced with original hand coloring. The combination of spider, butterfly, beetles and brilliantly colored grasshopper makes this an unusually varied example of early entomological illustration.
The engraving bears the signature “Jacob Hauer Schmuzer” at lower left.
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Published in Weimar from 1790 onward, the work contained hundreds of engraved and hand-colored plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity and numerous other subjects.
Creator:
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822)
Engraver:
Jacob Hauer Schmuzer
Source:
Bilderbuch für Kinder
Plate:
Insecten XXVII / Insectes XXVII
Place of Publication:
Weimar, Germany
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1800
Period:
Early 19th Century
Style:
Neoclassical – In the Period of
Medium:
Original hand-colored copper engraving on paper
Condition:
Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Light age-related toning and scattered minor spotting and marks. Minor marginal wear and edge irregularities. Original hand coloring remains strong and particularly attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition.
Please note:
This is an original antique print from around 1800, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Other companion natural-history and insect plates from Bertuch’s “Bilderbuch für Kinder” are also available separately.
Keywords:
antique spider print, antique butterfly print, exotic insects, spider engraving, swallowtail butterfly, tropical grasshopper, locust print, beetle engraving, antique insect print, entomology print, arachnid print, cabinet of curiosities, natural history print, Bertuch print, Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Jacob Schmuzer, hand colored engraving, circa 1800
