European Mink, 1800, Paper

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Antique engraving of a european mink (mustela vison b.), de sève & nußbiegel, c.1800 a beautifully detailed early 19th-century zoological … Read more Antique engraving of a european mink (mustela vison b.), de sève & nußbiegel, c.1800 a beautifully detailed early 19th-century zoological engraving depicting the european mink (mustela vison b.), drawn by jacques de sève and engraved by johann nußbiegel around 1800. The animal is shown standing alert on a rock ledge, its slender form and fine fur meticulously engraved with delicate cross-hatching. The surrounding landscape provides a subtle sense of the mink’s natural habitat, combining scientific precision with artistic grace. Jacques de sève, celebrated for his illustrations for buffon’s histoire naturelle, was a master of animal portraiture, known for blending anatomical accuracy with elegance. Johann nußbiegel’s skilled engraving captures every nuance of de sève’s drawing, producing a crisp and refined composition typical of enlightenment natural history prints. This engraving belongs to the classical european tradition of zoological illustration, uniting art and science in the study of nature. It remains both an aesthetic and educational piece, ideal for collectors of early natural history or decorative wall art. Condition report: fine early impression on laid paper with visible plate mark. Slight age toning and minimal edge wear consistent with age; image crisp and well preserved. Framing tips: best presented with a soft ivory or cream mat and a dark walnut or ebonized frame. A slim gilt inner border adds warmth and highlights the engraving’s refined detail. Technique: engraving on laid paper maker: jacques de sève (del.), johann nußbiegel (sc.), circa 1800 See less