Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair, Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam

Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair, Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam

This superb pair of hand-coloured 18th-century engravings of the Icelandic sheep and ram, titled La Brebis d’Islande (Plate XXXII) and Le Bélier d’Islande (Plate XXXI), comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle. These plates are among the most characterful and decorative images in the quadruped series, capturing the distinctive long-haired Icelandic breed with remarkable artistic sensitivity.

Drawn by Buffon’s celebrated illustrator Jacques de Sève and engraved with fine precision, each sheet presents an Icelandic sheep in a natural landscape, shown with rustic dwellings, hills, and the atmospheric grey skies of the North. The hand colouring of the Schneider edition is exceptionally appealing: warm chestnut and golden tones in the long wool, contrasted with soft greens and muted earth tones in the foreground. The engraver’s subtle linework in the facial features and horns brings great expression to these hardy northern animals.

The ewe, shown in Plate XXXII, stands with a slightly turned head, her long fleece rendered with delicate layered strokes. Small cottages and distant volcanic forms complete the landscape, nodding subtly to Iceland’s rugged environment. The ram, Plate XXXI, is even more striking, with dramatically curled horns and a powerful stance. His expression, posture, and thick coat combine to form one of the most distinctive animals in the Buffon series.

Together, the two plates form a natural pair, male and female, complementary compositions, matching landscapes, and identical framing proportions. When hung side by side, they create an elegant and balanced display that combines scientific illustration, pastoral charm, and 18th-century artistry.

Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle was one of the most influential natural history works of the Enlightenment, and the Amsterdam edition is particularly prized for its hand colouring and high production values. Icelandic sheep were of special interest to Buffon because of their adaptation to extreme climates, their unusual wool, and their cultural importance. These engravings remain among the earliest widely circulated images of the breed in Europe.

Condition report:

Very good condition for age. Clean sheets with wide margins and strong plate marks. Minor age toning and occasional small foxing spots, mostly in the margins. Hand colouring bright and well preserved. No tears, repairs, or stains affecting the image.

Framing tips:

Frame the pair together for maximum visual impact. Use warm cream or pale grey matting to complement the wool tones. Natural oak, walnut, or light gilt frames work beautifully with the earthy palette. Floating the sheets also highlights the generous margins and plate marks.

Keywords:

Iceland sheep engraving

Buffon 1769 Amsterdam

Jacques de Sève

hand coloured natural history

La Brebis d’Islande

Le Bélier d’Islande

antique farm animal prints

18th century zoological illustrations

Icelandic ram print

decorative pastoral art