Jacques Louis Engramelle, Apollo Butterfly (Mountain Apollo), c1779 to 1792

Apollo Butterfly (Mountain Apollo)

Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Jacques Louis Engramelle, Papillons d’Europe, Paris, 1779 to 1792
Originally hand colored copperplate engraving on chain linked, watermarked laid paper
Illustrated by J. J. Ernst, engraved by J. J. Juillet
Paper size: approximately 11 ¾ × 9 inches (30 × 23 cm)

This exquisite eighteenth century engraving from Papillons d’Europe presents the life stages of the Apollo butterfly, one of Europe’s most admired alpine species, with exceptional delicacy. The artist depicts the larva, chrysalis, and both male and female adults, revealing the species’ characteristic translucent wings and striking red eyespots.

Engramelle’s Papillons d’Europe was among the grandest natural history works of the Enlightenment, issued in only 250 hand colored copies. It was created under royal patronage and subscribed to by Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and Buffon. Early impressions on chain linked paper with fresh color and full plate marks are now extremely rare.

Plate condition: Very good to excellent overall with only light age marks.