Sepp & Nozeman, Little Owl, 1770, Paper

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Description

This finely hand-coloured copper engraving, titled Noctua Minor Aucuparia, depicts the little owl (Athene noctua), known in Dutch as the … Read more This finely hand-coloured copper engraving, titled Noctua Minor Aucuparia, depicts the little owl (Athene noctua), known in Dutch as the steenuil. Perched on a bare gnarled branch beside a hollow tree trunk, the bird is shown with feathers fluffed and large yellow eyes fixed in an intense forward gaze. Below, nestled in the fork of the trunk, a single egg lies in a simple grass-lined nest—emphasising the species’ preference for tree cavities or wall crevices as breeding sites. The composition is both scientifically informative and artistically captivating, blending botanical texture and anatomical precision. This plate is part of the influential ornithological series Nederlandsche Vogelen, published in Amsterdam between 1770 and 1829. The work was the first systematic study of Dutch birdlife and remains one of the most celebrated achievements in 18th-century natural history illustration. The text was authored by Cornelis Nozeman and later Martinus Houttuyn, while the illustrations and production were executed by the Sepp family, notably Christiaan Andreas Sepp and Jan Christiaan Sepp. Each species was presented close to life size and in naturalistic surroundings, with careful attention to behaviour and habitat.

Condition report Good condition. Strong plate impression with wide margins. Minimal age toning and a few minor handling creases in the outer blank areas. The colours remain fresh, with delicate layering of browns and greys in the plumage. No foxing, minor staining, no repairs. See less