After Jacques de Sève, Sheep, 1769, Print

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Beautiful 1769 hand-coloured sheep engraving from buffon’s dutch edition this charming 18th-century engraving, titled la brebis commune (plate ii from … Read more Beautiful 1769 hand-coloured sheep engraving from buffon’s dutch edition this charming 18th-century engraving, titled la brebis commune (plate ii from tome v), comes from the 1769 amsterdam dutch edition of buffon’s histoire naturelle, one of the most influential natural history works of the enlightenment. Drawn by jacques de sève and engraved by b. De bakker, this sheet represents the “common sheep,” a foundational pastoral animal in european agriculture, portrayed with an elegance and dignity that elevate it far beyond a simple farm illustration. The engraving shows a woolly sheep standing calmly in an open landscape, with a broad sky filled with expressive cloud formations that give the composition unusual atmospheric depth. De sève’s refined cross-hatching brings texture to the fleece, emphasizing its volume and softness. The sheep’s gentle expression, lifted head, and curved posture imbue the animal with personality and quiet presence. Behind it, distant houses, a church spire, and traces of farmland establish a sense of rural europe in the 18th century. The amsterdam edition of buffon is especially admired for its hand colouring, and this sheet retains its warm palette beautifully. Subtle browns, soft greys, faint blues, and natural greens are applied with care, creating a harmonious and decorative effect. The foreground, with its rocks, branches, and vegetation, is rendered with the same attentiveness to detail that characterizes the entire buffon series. Buffon’s histoire naturelle aimed to document the diversity of life with scientific curiosity and artistic finesse. Even everyday animals such as the common sheep were treated with seriousness and grace, reflecting the enlightenment belief that all creatures deserved study and representation. Today, decorators and collectors value these plates for their timeless simplicity, their delicate colour, and their ability to bring warmth and sophistication to interiors ranging from classic to rustic to contemporary. This plate pairs especially well with other sheep, goat, or pastoral subjects from buffon, but it also stands perfectly on its own as a single, elegant wall piece. Condition report: very good condition for age. Light toning and occasional small foxing spots, mostly in the wide margins. Plate mark strongly visible. Hand colouring fresh and well preserved. No tears, repairs, or staining affecting the image. Framing tips: a cream or warm ivory mat works beautifully with the soft tones of the fleece. Natural oak, walnut, or light gilt frames complement the pastoral subject. Floating the sheet is recommended if you wish to highlight the generous margins and strong plate mark. Keywords: buffon sheep engraving amsterdam 1769 edition la brebis commune jacques de sève b. De bakker engraver hand coloured natural history print 18th century zoology pastoral farmhouse art antique sheep illustration decorative rural landscape print See less