Jacques de Seve, Le Chien de Sibérie, Etching, 1771

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Plate from histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, tom. V, pl. Xxx, p. 300. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid … Read more Plate from histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, tom. V, pl. Xxx, p. 300. Paris, 1771. Etching and engraving on laid paper. Sheet size: 24.5 × 19.5 cm. A finely executed zoological plate depicting the siberian dog standing in profile upon a rocky foreground, its thick, abundant coat and tightly curled tail rendered with precise and delicate linework. The animal faces left, its alert expression carefully detailed, while a sparse northern landscape with low structures and distant hills unfolds behind, reinforcing the geographic reference. The restrained yet atmospheric background contrasts effectively with the richly worked texture of the fur, exemplifying the balance between scientific observation and artistic refinement characteristic of buffon’s celebrated natural history. Signed in the plate lower left “de sève del.” and lower right “l. Legrand sculp.” caption centered below image: “le chien de siberie.” upper margin inscribed “tom. V.” and “pl. Xxx. Pag. 300.” a strong, well-preserved impression with visible plate mark, printed on period laid paper. Condition: very good, with light uniform age toning and faint central vertical fold from early binding; minor marginal handling, otherwise clean and well preserved. A fine example from buffon’s monumental enlightenment encyclopaedia, an essential work in the development of modern zoological classification. 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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