{"product_id":"french-butterflies-buffon-histoire-naturelle-des-insectes-1765-1785","title":"French Butterflies Buffon, Histoire naturelle des insectes - 1765–1785","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"616\"\u003eA matched pair of original 18th-century French butterfly engravings from Buffon’s monumental natural history project. These plates depict a selection of European and exotic butterflies, shown with wings spread to illustrate both pattern and structure, and arranged in the elegant, balanced compositions characteristic of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"995\"\u003ePrinted from copper plates and finished by hand with original watercolour, these works predate modern entomological classification and use vernacular French names rather than Linnaean binomials. The soft palette, fine line work, and gold double-rule borders are hallmarks of Buffon’s Paris editions and make these plates especially decorative as well as historically important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1198\"\u003eWorks such as these were intended for learned collectors and cabinets of curiosity, and survive today as some of the most recognisable and desirable natural history engravings of the Enlightenment era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1207\" data-end=\"1210\"\u003eOrigin Paris\u003cbr data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003ePublication Buffon, Histoire naturelle des insectes\u003cbr data-start=\"1276\" data-end=\"1279\"\u003eDate circa 1765–1785\u003cbr data-start=\"1299\" data-end=\"1302\"\u003eMedium hand-coloured copper engraving on laid paper\u003cbr data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1356\"\u003eCondition original antique condition with light age toning and minor edge wear consistent with age. Colouring strong and original.\u003cbr data-start=\"1486\" data-end=\"1489\"\u003eQuantity two plates, sold as a pair\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePlate title: Papillons à queue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"153\"\u003eEnglish: Tailed butterflies\u003cbr data-start=\"180\" data-end=\"183\"\u003ePlate number: Plate 72\u003cbr data-start=\"205\" data-end=\"208\"\u003eNotes: This plate groups several swallowtail-type butterflies shown dorsal and ventral. The long tails and banded wings are the defining feature referenced in the title.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePlate title: La Diane et La Palatine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"430\" data-end=\"433\"\u003eEnglish: The Diana and the Palatine\u003cbr data-start=\"468\" data-end=\"471\"\u003ePlate number: Plate 10\u003cbr data-start=\"493\" data-end=\"496\"\u003eNotes: This plate illustrates two named butterflies, shown with wings fully spread. “La Diane” and “La Palatine” are vernacular French names used in the Buffon period rather than Linnaean taxonomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"908\"\u003eBoth plates originate from \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eHistoire naturelle des insectes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Paris, second half of the 18th century, and the numbering style and typography match the original Buffon-era engravings rather than later reissues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping and authenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2044\" data-end=\"2047\"\u003eGuaranteed original 18th-century engravings. Not later reproductions. Shipped flat, fully insured, and professionally packed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lumenrare Antique Prints \u0026 Maps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56669390209407,"sku":"LR-BUF-BUTTERFLY-1765-SET2","price":225.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8356\/9279\/files\/french-butterflies-buffon-histoire-naturelle-des-insectes-17651785-3728753.jpg?v=1767488712","url":"https:\/\/lumenrare.com\/products\/french-butterflies-buffon-histoire-naturelle-des-insectes-1765-1785","provider":"Lumenrare Antique Prints \u0026 Maps","version":"1.0","type":"link"}