12483 Eleazar Albin (1690–1742) – Life Cycle of Moths on Rose Hips and Sloes – Hand-coloured copper engraving (1720)
This hand-coloured copper engraving illustrates the developmental stages of various moth species in relation to their specific botanical hosts. The upper section features a branch of rose hips with a pink and yellow caterpillar, accompanied by two orange-hued moths. The lower section depicts a sloe branch with blue berries, showing a brown larva and two additional moth specimens with different wing patterns. These entomological subjects are identified by lowercase letter references corresponding to descriptions in the original text. The bottom of the work bears a dedication to the Honorable Thomas Trevor. 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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