1920s Original E.A. Séguy Butterfly Print(s) From Papillons (No. 5)

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This listing is for Plate 5 from the 1924 E.A. Seguy publication PAPILLONS (Butterflies). Please see my other listings for … Read more This listing is for Plate 5 from the 1924 E.A. Seguy publication PAPILLONS (Butterflies). Please see my other listings for two more items from this set, incredible antiques from the Parisian Art Deco period. Each piece is even more breathtaking in person. Pochoir, 13.75 x 17.75 inches.

Pochoir is a refined French stencil-based printmaking technique, popular in the early 20th century, used to create vibrant, layered, and limited-edition prints. Unlike standard stenciling, it involves meticulous, hand-cut stencils (often metal or plastic) and specialized brushes to apply gouache or watercolor.

Vividly hued insects from various corners of the globe are depicted in captivating arrangements within pochoir prints echoing the styles of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Curated by the French designer and author E.A. Séguy, this collection comprises 20 plates showcasing a total of 80 insects and 16 ornamental compositions. The initial 16 plates exhibit five sizable specimens per plate, arranged in vibrant displays that often interlace, accentuating the hues, patterns, and contours of wings and wing veins. Among the featured insects are bees, wasps, cicadas, locusts, plant hoppers, grasshoppers, dragonflies, damselflies, scarabs, and longhorn beetles, sourced from diverse regions worldwide: Africa, Australia, South America, Borneo, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. Plates 17 to 20 present four designs each, incorporating motifs inspired by insects, conceived by Séguy to illustrate the boundless creative possibilities for decorative arts designers. Originally published in 1924, "Insectes" and its companion volume, "Papillons" [Butterflies], adhere to a format of 16 plates featuring specimens followed by four plates showcasing decorative designs See less