12484 Eleazar Albin (1690–1742) – Life Cycle of a Lacewing on a Flowering Branch – Hand-coloured copper engraving (1720)
This hand-coloured copper engraving illustrates the life cycle and ecological relationship of a lacewing insect with its botanical host. The central botanical study features a flowering branch with broad, heart-shaped leaves and small, delicate blossoms. At the top of the composition, a mature lacewing is shown with its wings fully extended, displaying the intricate venation characteristic of the species. A reddish-brown larva is depicted crawling on one of the lower leaves, while small egg or pupal forms are attached to the stems. The bottom of the plate includes a formal dedication to Vice Chamberlain Cook. This work was published in London as part of A Natural History of English Insects, which was the first English entomological book to feature coloured plates.
Eleazar Albin was an English natural history illustrator and painter who produced some of the earliest coloured books on insects and birds. Originally a teacher of watercolour 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 from caterpillar to adult. His work was highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty and its significant contribution to the burgeoning field of entomology during the eighteenth century.
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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