Antique Bird Engraving of a Tucano Mangiapepe by Saverio Manetti

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Description

"Tucano Mangiapepe" (Pepper-Eating Toucan): 18th-Century Italian Ornithological Engraving
by Saverio Manetti,
Circa 1776

A superb and large-format hand-colored copperplate engraving … Read more "Tucano Mangiapepe" (Pepper-Eating Toucan): 18th-Century Italian Ornithological Engraving
by Saverio Manetti,
Circa 1776

A superb and large-format hand-colored copperplate engraving from one of the most ambitious ornithological projects of the 18th century. Created by the Italian physician and naturalist Saverio Manetti (1723–1784), this plate (No. CCIII) depicts the "Tucano Mangiapepe" (Tucana piperivora), or the "Pepper-eating Toucan."

The bird is rendered with the bold, almost whimsical character that defines Manetti’s style—blending scientific observation with a distinct Italian theatricality. The toucan is posed dynamically on a rock, its massive beak and vibrant plumage (yellow breast, red band, black body) detailed in rich period watercolors. The Latin and Italian titles are elegantly engraved at the top, with a dedication to a patron or scientific society member at the bottom.

Condition: Excellent antique condition. The hand-coloring remains vibrant. Paper is clean with wide margins. Housed in a handsome giltwood frame that complements the 18th-century aesthetic.

Measurements:
Frame: 25 inches high x 22 inches wide x 1 1/4 inches deep (63.5 cm x 55.9 cm)
Sheet (Sight): 18 inches x 14 inches (45.7 cm x 35.6 cm)

Historical Context:

Saverio Manetti was a true Renaissance man—physician, botanist, and director of the Florentine Botanical Garden. His magnum opus, Storia naturale degli uccelli (Natural History of Birds), published in Florence between 1767 and 1776, was a monumental achievement commissioned by the Grand Duchess of Tuscany.

Unlike his contemporaries who often copied other artists, Manetti worked predominantly from real specimens in the private collections of the Italian nobility. His illustrations are prized today for their personality; the birds often seem to have human-like expressions or exaggerated postures, making them as much works of art as scientific records.

Literature:
Saverio Manetti, Storia naturale degli uccelli: Plate CCIII (203).

(Ref: NY10162-nlir) See less