Rare-Antique Print-BUTTERFLY-BOTANICAL-l’Admiral-1774

The print presents a detailed illustration of a butterfly, both in its caterpillar and adult stages, on a branch. The composition is rich with natural details, including the textured leaves, ripe plums, and various stages of the insect’s metamorphosis. The caterpillar is shown crawling on the branch, while the adult moths are depicted resting on the leaves and in flight. The hand-coloring enhances the naturalistic appearance, with vibrant greens, purples, and yellows that bring the scene to life.

Made by Jacob l’Admiral after own design.

Medium: Attractively hand-colored etching and stipple engraving on Hand laid (verge) paper. Watermark: French lily and Strasbourg bend.

Sheet size: 23 x 31 cm (9.06 x 12.2 inch). Image size: 19 x 26 cm. (7.48 x 10.24 inch).

Condition: very good, given age. With attractuve contempary hand coloring. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

JACOB L’ADMIRAL, 18TH CENTURY, NATURAL HISTORY, BOTANICAL ENGRAVING, HAND-COLORED COPPERPLATE ENGRAVING, INSECTS, METAMORPHOSIS | EXPO-NATURE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

From “Naauwkeurige Waarneemingen omtrent de veranderingen van veele Insekten” (Accurate Descriptions of the Metamorphoses of Insects), published by J. Sluyter, Amsterdam, 1774.

Biography engraver: Jacob l’Admiral (1700-1770) was a Dutch artist and engraver known for his detailed and accurate depictions of insects and plants. His work was highly regarded for its scientific accuracy and artistic quality. L’Admiral contributed to several important works on natural history, and his engravings are considered valuable both for their artistic merit and their contribution to the study of entomology in the 18th century.