12494 Robert Benard (1734–1777) – Herpetological Study of the Rattlesnake and Viper – Engraving (1791)
"Le Muet. Le Parterre." This eighteenth-century engraving provides a comparative study of two distinct snake species, likely representing a variety of rattlesnake and a large viper. The figure on the left, identified as le muet, is shown with a distinctive rattle at the tip of its tail and a slender body marked by diamond-shaped patterns. The central figure, le parterre, is depicted in a complex coil, showcasing a thick body with intricate, dark blotch markings and a wide head with a flickering tongue. The work emphasizes the texture of the imbricate scales and the muscular anatomy of the reptiles. This plate was published in Paris as part of the natural history section of the Encyclopedie Methodique, a comprehensive scientific series published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke.
Robert Benard was a prolific French engraver who specialized in technical and scientific illustrations. He served as the primary director for the engraving of the monumental plates for Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopedie, and later for the Encyclopedie Methodique. His work is characterized by a high degree of precision and systematic clarity, which was essential for the taxonomic classification of the animal kingdom during the eighteenth century. Benard’s massive output of thousands of copperplates significantly influenced the visual language of science and helped standardize the representation of natural history across Europe.
Artist or Maker: Robert Benard.
Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 21 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: 1791.
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.
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