George Edwards bird with butterfly, etched and engraved c1750.
$495.00
Antique print of Bird and Butterfly upperside, underside c1750.
Original hand-coloured copperplate etched and engraved by naturalist and artist George Edwards (1694-1773) for his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals, Quadrupeds, Reptiles, Fishes, Insects, &c. published in London by T. Rickaby between 1743 and 1751. Considered to be “One of the most important of all Bird Books, both as a Fine Bird Book and a work of Ornithology”. George Edwards illustrated many species that were foreign to Britain – many for the first time. Edwards etched his own plates and then hand-coloured several prints before supervising others in the colouring. His engravings have great character, clarity. and strong colour. They are quite distinct from any other style of illustration, before or since.
George Edwards (1694-1773), was an English draughtsman and one of the most prominent ornithologists of his time. In 1773, on the recommendation of the founder of the British Museum, Sir Hans Sloane, George Edwards was appointed Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and of the Society of Antiquaries, London, and was honoured with the Gold Medal of the Royal Society. As the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians he receive a small stipend which enabled him to pursue his study and illustration of birds. For many years he was employed as a personal natural history painter for Sir Hans Sloane.
In exceptionally fine condition, this page measures 290 x 220 mm (11.3/8 x 8.5/8 inches). To intaglio impression measures 235 x 190 mm (9.1/4 x 7.1/2 inches).
