Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769

Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769

This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the buffalo, titled Le Buffle, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXV in Tome XI, the image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s principal illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. The plate is one of the most appealing large mammal portraits in the Buffon series, notable for its expressive character, fine engraving, and warm, atmospheric colouring.

The buffalo stands in full profile on a grassy bank beneath a soft blue sky. Its muscular body, thick neck, and distinctive curved horns are rendered with precise cross-hatching, highlighting both strength and powerful form. The shaggy hair around the head and chest is drawn with exceptional sensitivity, giving the animal a lively, alert presence. Behind the buffalo, a distant landscape shows classical buildings, rolling hills, and soft vegetation, an elegant composition typical of de Sève, who often placed his subjects in idealised settings to evoke the exotic nature of these animals for 18th-century European audiences.

Hand colouring in the Schneider edition is among the finest of all Buffon printings. The warm browns of the buffalo’s coat, subtly blended into lighter highlights, contrast beautifully with the green-yellow ground and the pale sky. The plate retains its full border and wide margins, enhancing its decorative presence. As a species, the buffalo fascinated early naturalists for its strength, utility, and significance in agriculture and transport across Asia and Africa. Buffon’s engraving captures both the majesty and grounded realism of the animal, making this plate especially desirable among collectors of natural history.

More than 250 years old, this engraving remains fresh and visually striking. It pairs excellently with related Buffon plates such as the ox, yak, camel, or other large quadrupeds, but also stands strongly as a single feature piece in modern interiors. Its warm palette and calm, balanced composition make it suitable for living rooms, libraries, offices, or country home settings.

Condition report:

Very good for age. Light toning, small scattered foxing mostly in the margins, and faint handling marks typical of 18th-century sheets. Strong, clean impression with clearly visible plate mark. Hand colouring remains bright and well preserved. No tears or repairs.

Framing tips:

Frame with an ivory or warm cream mat to enhance the soft colouring. A walnut or dark oak frame creates a classic, refined look, while a thin black frame provides a more contemporary contrast. Floating the sheet is also effective, especially to show off the wide margins and plate mark.

Keywords:

buffalo engraving

Le Buffle Buffon

hand coloured copper engraving

Amsterdam 1769

Jacques de Sève

C J Fritsch

18th century natural history

antique animal print

large quadruped illustration

museum quality engraving

zoological art

Buffon mammal plate