Bertuch, Set of Three Antique Butterfly and Moth Prints, Engraving

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Set of three antique butterfly and moth prints by bertuch, c. 1800 set of three original antique hand-colored copper engravings … Read more Set of three antique butterfly and moth prints by bertuch, c. 1800 set of three original antique hand-colored copper engravings depicting spectacular butterflies and moths together with their caterpillar and chrysalis stages, published in friedrich justin bertuch’s celebrated “bilderbuch für kinder” around the beginning of the 19th century. The three plates are titled “insecten xxix / insectes xxix,” “insecten xxiii / insectes xxiii,” and “insecten xxxi / insectes xxxi.” together they form a particularly decorative group illustrating the remarkable variety and metamorphosis of butterflies and moths. The first plate, insecten xxix, presents four large butterflies. Particularly striking is the brilliant blue specimen occupying the lower half of the composition, contrasted with three butterflies in more restrained shades of brown, cream and violet. The different views of the wings demonstrate the extraordinary variation in pattern and coloration among exotic butterflies. The second plate, insecten xxiii, is devoted to two spectacular moths and their life cycles. The upper specimen is a death’s-head hawk-moth type, immediately recognizable by the remarkable skull-like marking on its thorax. It is accompanied by its large striped caterpillar and chrysalis. Below is another beautifully patterned moth shown together with its caterpillar and pupal stage. The third plate, insecten xxxi, is dominated by a magnificent large eye-spotted moth. Its broad wings carry four prominent eye-like markings surrounded by intricate bands of black, cream, red and ochre. Beneath it are the extraordinary green caterpillar and dark chrysalis, illustrating three stages of the insect’s metamorphosis. The three engravings are beautifully enhanced with original hand coloring. Together they create an exceptionally attractive natural-history ensemble, combining strong decorative appeal with the scientific fascination with insect metamorphosis that characterized european natural history around 1800. The plates bear engraved signatures of jacob hauer schmuzer, one of the engravers associated with bertuch’s monumental publication. Friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) was a german publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His “bilderbuch für kinder” (picture book for children), published in weimar from 1790 onward, became one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its hundreds of engraved plates introduced readers to natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity and cultures from around the world. The three plates work particularly well displayed together and would make an impressive grouping in a living room, library, study, bedroom or natural-history inspired interior. Creator: friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) engraver: jacob hauer schmuzer source: bilderbuch für kinder plates: insecten xxiii / insectes xxiii insecten xxix / insectes xxix insecten xxxi / insectes xxxi place of publication: weimar, germany date of manufacture: circa 1800 period: early 19th century style: neoclassical – in the period of medium: original hand-colored copper engravings on paper number of items: 3 condition: good. Wear consistent with age and use. General age-related toning, scattered minor spotting and occasional handling marks. Some minor marginal wear and edge irregularities. Original hand coloring remains strong and attractive. Please refer to the photographs for the individual condition of each sheet. Please note: these are three original antique engravings from around 1800, not modern reproductions. The prints are sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only. Keywords: set of butterfly prints, antique butterfly prints, antique moth prints, butterfly wall art, death's-head hawk-moth, moth engraving, caterpillar prints, chrysalis, insect metamorphosis, entomology prints, natural history prints, antique insect prints, bertuch prints, friedrich justin bertuch, jacob schmuzer, hand colored engravings, cabinet of curiosities, circa 1800 See less