Antique Hand-Colored Engraving of the Water Wagtail by Eleazar Albin, circa 1730

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Antique Hand-Colored Engraving of the Water Wagtail by Eleazar Albin, circa 1730

This graceful antique hand-colored engraving depicts the Water Wagtail, titled Motacilla Alba, from the early 18th-century ornithological series by the English naturalist Eleazar Albin. Created around 1730, this print shows the wagtail perched lightly by a tranquil body of water with rolling green hills in the background. Below the image are the inscriptions Eliz. Albin Delin. and the bird’s Latin name Motacilla Alba alongside its English name Water Wagtail and German name Wasserammette.

Eleazar Albin was one of Britain’s pioneering natural history illustrators. His work, including the celebrated A Natural History of Birds, was among the first to feature English bird species drawn directly from nature and hand-colored with care. His plates stand out for their charming balance of scientific accuracy and simple decorative elegance, produced for collectors and early ornithologists during the Enlightenment era.

The Water Wagtail, or White Wagtail, is a familiar European species recognized by its striking black and white plumage and distinctive long tail, which it flicks up and down as it forages near water. Albin’s rendering captures the bird’s lively posture and fine feather details, while the gentle landscape hints at its preferred riverside habitat. Such prints were originally intended as educational tools for early naturalists and wealthy patrons with a keen interest in the natural world.

Condition report:
The print is in good condition with bright original coloring. Some gentle age toning and minor foxing spots are visible, mainly in the broad margin. The engraved image remains clear and undamaged, with no tears or repairs.

Framing tips:
This delicate engraving will display beautifully in a classic dark wood or slim black frame with a gold liner to echo its historical charm. A light cream or soft green mat can complement the natural tones and provide a fresh, elegant presentation for a study, library, or natural history collection.