12482 Eleazar Albin (1690–1742) – Life Cycle of Insects on a Red Rose – Hand-coloured copper engraving (1720)
This hand-coloured copper engraving depicts a central botanical study of a blooming red rose, accompanied by various entomological specimens. The composition features a blue caterpillar positioned on a leaf and a smaller green larva crawling across the petals of the primary blossom. A winged insect, identified by letter references, is shown in flight to the left of the stem, illustrating the relationship between specific insects and their botanical hosts. The bottom of the page contains a formal dedication to George Booth, Earl of Warrington. This plate was published in London as part of the work A Natural History of English Insects, a landmark publication in eighteenth-century entomology.
Eleazar Albin was an English natural history illustrator and painter who produced some of the earliest colored books on insects and birds. Originally a teacher of watercolor painting, he turned his talents to the scientific documentation of the natural world. He is best known for his meticulous observations of insects, which he reared himself to accurately record their different life stages. His work was highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty and its contribution to the burgeoning field of natural science during the Enlightenment.
Artist or Maker: Eleazar Albin.
Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 23 cm.
Medium: Hand-coloured copper 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 | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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