Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century
Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, view 2
Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, view 3

Close-ups

Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, close-up 1Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, close-up 2Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, close-up 3Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, close-up 4Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, close-up 5

Framed and on the wall

Exquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, shown framedExquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, shown framed on a wallExquisite Hand-Coloured Butterfly Prints of the 18th and 19th-Century, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

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

€240 ($270, £205, €240)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.

Date
Not stated
Size
9.1 × 5.3 in (23 × 13.5 cm)
Condition
Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
Section
Insects and butterflies
Reference
f_42344142

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.