Jacques de Sève, The Rhinoceros The African Rhinoceros, 1700s, Etching

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Engraving on laid paper, within a ruled border. An engraved zoological plate from Buffon’s monumental Histoire naturelle, depicting two rhinoceroses … Read more Engraving on laid paper, within a ruled border. An engraved zoological plate from Buffon’s monumental Histoire naturelle, depicting two rhinoceroses shown in profile, accompanied by a detailed anatomical study of the skull. The upper figure represents a rhinoceros in a generalized or Asian type, while the lower figure is identified as Le Rhinocéros d’Afrique, reflecting Enlightenment-era attempts to classify and differentiate exotic species based on limited specimens and travelers’ accounts. The animals are rendered with careful attention to surface texture and volume, emphasizing the characteristic armored skin and massive physical presence of the rhinoceros. The inclusion of the skull study underscores the scientific ambitions of Buffon’s project, combining visual with anatomical inquiry. The plate is engraved by Robert Bénard after designs by Jacques de Sève, who was responsible for many of the most refined and accurate illustrations in the Histoire naturelle. Together, these images played a crucial role in shaping European visual knowledge of non-European fauna during the eighteenth century. Buffon’s Histoire naturelle stands as one of the most influential scientific publications of the Enlightenment, and plates such as this remain highly desirable for their combination of scientific importance, artistic quality, and historical significance. 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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