[Amsterdam, Johannes Sluyter, 1774].
Beautiful delineations of the metamorphoses of butterflies, continuing the fine Dutch tradition of insect illustration begun by Maria Sibylla Merian.
L'Admiral (1700-1770), was a gifted amateur entomologist who had studied insects since the age of ten. A year after his death, his collection of butterflies and other insects was sold in auction. This included the original copper plates from the first edition (1740) of of his work Naauwkeurige Waarneemingen omtrent de Veranderingen van Veele Insekten... These were augmented by a further eight plates which had been borrowed from L'Admiral by Dr.M Houttuyn, for the butterfly section of his edition of Linnaeus. Thus the 1774 edition was the first complete edition of L'Admiral's engravings.
In total L'Admiral illustrated seventy metamorphoses on thirty-three etched plates. These engravings show the butterflies, their larvae and food plants. L'Admiral drew and etched all the plates themselves.
Group of six copper engravings with fine original colour, showing the metamorphosis of butterflies, moths and other flying insects. Framed and glazed, overall size: 31.6cm by 46.7cm.
Landwehr, Dutch Books with Colour Plates, 105.
L'Admiral (1700-1770), was a gifted amateur entomologist who had studied insects since the age of ten. A year after his death, his collection of butterflies and other insects was sold in auction. This included the original copper plates from the first edition (1740) of of his work Naauwkeurige Waarneemingen omtrent de Veranderingen van Veele Insekten... These were augmented by a further eight plates which had been borrowed from L'Admiral by Dr.M Houttuyn, for the butterfly section of his edition of Linnaeus. Thus the 1774 edition was the first complete edition of L'Admiral's engravings.
In total L'Admiral illustrated seventy metamorphoses on thirty-three etched plates. These engravings show the butterflies, their larvae and food plants. L'Admiral drew and etched all the plates themselves.
Group of six copper engravings with fine original colour, showing the metamorphosis of butterflies, moths and other flying insects. Framed and glazed, overall size: 31.6cm by 46.7cm.
Landwehr, Dutch Books with Colour Plates, 105.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
