12481 Eleazar Albin (1690–1742) – Life Cycle of Moths on Botanical Stems – Hand-coloured copper engraving (1720)
This hand-coloured copper engraving illustrates the metamorphosis and life cycle of specific moth species. The composition features various stages of development, including caterpillars feeding on a flowering plant stem and mature moths in flight and at rest. The botanical host is rendered with botanical precision, showing a vibrant red flower and detailed leaf structures. A dedication at the bottom identifies the patron as John Henric Linck, an apothecary and member of the Royal Society. 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.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
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