Sepp & Nozeman, Great Bittern, 1809, Paper

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Antique print titled 'ardea stellaris rufa'. The eurasian bittern or great bittern (botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird in the … Read more Antique print titled 'ardea stellaris rufa'. The eurasian bittern or great bittern (botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird in the bittern subfamily (botaurinae) of the heron family ardeidae. There are two subspecies, the northern race (b. S. Stellaris) breeding in parts of europe and asia, as well as on the northern coast of africa, while the southern race (b. S. Capensis) is endemic to parts of southern africa. It is a secretive bird, seldom seen in the open as it prefers to skulk in reed beds and thick vegetation near water bodies. Its presence is apparent in the spring, when the booming call of the male during the breeding season can be heard. It feeds on fish, small mammals, fledgling birds, amphibians, crustaceans and insects. This print originates from 'nederlandsche vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven", amsterdam, 1770-1829 by c. Nozeman, m. Houttuyn and j.c. Sepp. This is the most important and first study in the netherlands of ornithology at that time. The birds are depicted as they are in life, said to be depicted close to life sized and in their environment. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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