12822 François-Nicolas Martinet (1731–1800) – View of a Senegal Kingfisher – Hand-coloured etching (1770–1786)
"Martin-Pêcheur, du Sénégal, appellé Crabier." This work illustrates a kingfisher perched on a gnarled branch with small green leaves, featuring a prominent red beak, grey head, and vibrant blue wings and tail feathers enclosed within a yellow border. The technical nature is a hand-coloured etching. It was published in the Planches Enluminées d'Histoire Naturelle, which was printed in Paris by the Imprimerie Royale. This series is significant as the most extensive and famous ornithological work of the eighteenth century, serving as the visual companion to the Comte de Buffon's monumental natural history texts.
François-Nicolas Martinet was a French engineer and engraver who became the most celebrated bird illustrator of the Enlightenment era. He held the official position of engineer to the King and spent several decades producing hundreds of plates for major scientific publications. His primary contribution was the meticulous documentation of bird species from around the world, utilizing refined etching techniques to capture delicate feather textures and colors. Martinet's illustrations defined the standard for ornithological study for generations, blending scientific observation with a distinctive decorative elegance.
Artist or Maker: François-Nicolas Martinet.
Dimensions: Approximately 27 cm x 20 cm.
Medium: Hand-coloured etching.
Date: (1770–1786).
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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