11349 Robert Bénard (1734–1777) – Ornithological Study of Ibises and Couricaca – Engraving (18th Century)
"Histoire Naturelle, Ornithologie" illustrates several long-legged wading birds from the ibis family, including the Couricaca, the Black-faced Ibis, the White Ibis, the Green Ibis, and the Scarlet Ibis. The composition provides a comparative study of their distinctive downward-curved bills and varying plumage patterns, rendered with scientific clarity and fine hatching typical of Enlightenment-era zoological documentation. This copper engraving was produced for an encyclopedic work of the eighteenth century, such as the Tableau encyclopedique et methodique des trois regnes de la nature, a major natural history project of the period.
Robert Bénard was a French engraver who specialized in technical and scientific illustrations, becoming the director of the engraving department for the Diderot and d'Alembert Encyclopedie. He was highly regarded for his ability to translate complex scientific data into clear visual formats, working extensively on maps and natural history plates. His output was prolific, contributing thousands of plates to the most significant intellectual publications of the late eighteenth century in Paris. Bénard's precise technique defined the standard for educational illustration during this period, influencing the development of biological and zoological documentation across Europe.
Artist or Maker: Robert Bénard.
Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 22 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: (18th Century).
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Estimate | 300 - 400 SEK |
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| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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