Martinet and Buffon, Exotic Birds of the World, 1700s, Print

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This image is an exquisite hand-colored engraving from the "Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux," a seminal work published between 1765 and … Read more This image is an exquisite hand-colored engraving from the "Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux," a seminal work published between 1765 and 1780. The artist behind this detailed work is François Nicolas Martinet, a skilled engraver known for his meticulous attention to ornithological detail. He collaborated with Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, who was an influential naturalist and author of the comprehensive work that explored various bird species. The technique used in this engraving involves initially etching the outline onto a copper plate. This plate is then used to print the image, after which colors are applied by hand, giving each print a unique vibrancy and detail that machine printing could not achieve at the time. This method was typical of high-quality scientific works in the 18th century, providing both accuracy and artistic beauty to the illustrations. The engraving shows three birds, each rendered with scientific accuracy and artistic flair. The names of the birds are given in French as "Le Senegali," "Senegali rayé," and "Pinçon de la Chine," indicating their exotic origins from the perspectives of European audiences of that time. The paper is roughly 9 inches by 12 1/8 inches, and despite its age, the condition is very good to excellent, with only minor imperfections that are typical of preserved works from this period. This title reflects both the content and the scholarly nature of the work, emphasizing the global exploration and scientific study of birds during the Enlightenment period. See less