11483 Eleazar Albin (Active 1713–1759) – Studies of Moths and Caterpillars on a Leafy Branch – Hand-coloured engraving (1720)
"To the Lady Drake Wife of Saml. Trotman Esq. this plate is humbly Dedicated by Eleazar Albin." This hand-coloured engraving illustrates the biological progression of two distinct moth species. The composition is centered around a bright green leafy branch with serrated edges, upon which a large, bristled red and black caterpillar is feeding. Above and below this branch, two mature moths are depicted with striking orange and black patterned wings, one shown in flight and the other at rest with wings spread. The plate also includes detailed renderings of small white eggs and a dark brown pupa, alongside a tiny parasitic insect. This work was published in London as part of A Natural History of English Insects, a landmark entomological study. The illustration serves as a precise scientific record of eighteenth-century British biodiversity, meticulously documenting the developmental stages and host plants of native Lepidoptera.
Eleazar Albin was an English naturalist and painter who produced some of the most significant early illustrated works on birds and insects in Great Britain. Originally a teacher of watercolours, he applied his artistic skills to natural history, raising many of the insects he illustrated to ensure accuracy in depicting their transformations. His major publications, including A Natural History of English Insects and A Natural History of Birds, were pioneering for their use of life-sized, hand-coloured engravings. Albin was noted for his dedication to empirical observation, often working with his family to produce detailed and vibrant illustrations. His legacy remains vital to the history of entomology for establishing a high standard for scientific illustration during the pre-Linnaean era.
Artist or Maker: Eleazar Albin.
Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 23 cm.
Medium: Hand-coloured engraving.
Date: 1720.
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 | 200 - 300 SEK |
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| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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