Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Hand Colored Antique Print of Flying Foxes and Bats, circa 1820
€160 ($180, £135, €160)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1820
- Size
- 10.1 × 7.8 in (25.6 × 19.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. General age-related toning. Small punch holes in right margin. Some wear and soiling. Blank verso. Please study image carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Artist or book
- Bertuch
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_38602102
Ethereal Nocturnes: Antique Engraving of Mystical Winged Creatures
Original antique print of flying foxes and bats. This engraved print originates from a very rare unknown Dutch work. The plates are similar to the plates in the famous German work: ‘Bilderbuch fur Kinder' by F.J. Bertuch, published 1790-1830 in Weimar. This could be Dutch edition of this work (no references found), or a work that used the Bertuch plates. Published circa 1820.
The print in more detail:
The print depicts a collection of seven animals, each in a distinct pose, engaging with a bat-like creature with wings. The creatures are presented in a variety of activities: some appear to be in flight, while others are at rest. The animals are intricately detailed and colored, suggesting a high level of artistic skill in portraying the textures and forms of each creature. The colors range from browns and grays to subtle greens, which are used to depict the animals as well as the ground or platforms upon which they are resting.
At the top left, labeled as "2 XII," is a large creature that stands upright, looking curiously towards the viewer, with its large wings extended to its sides. To the right, labeled "4 Quadruped XII," is an animal that seems to be gliding along, with its body horizontal and its wings outstretched behind it. Below this, marked as "8," is a small creature with its wings wrapped around itself like a cloak.
In the middle row, on the left marked as "6," there is an animal with long ears and wings that are closed, resembling a bat, resting on a green surface. Next to it, marked as "1," is a creature that is laying down with its wings folded alongside its body.
Finally, on the bottom row, there is a creature labeled "3" that is in mid-flight with its wings down and head tilted forward. To the right, marked as "5," is another bat-like animal, with its wings in a striking open position, as if it is caught mid-flap or is showcasing its wing span.
