1740 Butterlies, metamorphosis of insects, large folio, L'Admiral, hand coloured

Antique print, untitled. 

From: 'Naauwkeurige waarnemingen omtrent de veranderingen van veele insekten …'  Published 1740.

Overall size: 36.5 x 26.2 cm

Original hand colour.

One of a collection of 30 plates by Jacob L'Admiral, published in Amsterdam by Johannes Sluyter. Butterfly. 

Etching on laid paper. Made by 'Jacob L'Admiral' after own design. 

Reference: Cf. Nissen, ZBI 2357-2358 (1740 & 1774 eds.). Horn/Schenkling 52-53 (1740 & 1774 eds.). Hunt 514 (1740 ed.). Landwehr, Coloured Plates 104-105 (1740 & 1774).

Fine engraving showing the metamorphosis of butterflies, moths and other flying insects. Scientifically they were a great advance over all that went before, including the pioneering work of Maria Sibylla Merian. L'Admiral began studying butterflies at the age of ten. He collected the specimens during 30 years of travel and intended the first edition with 25 plates to be one of 4 parts for a total of 100 plates.

Jacob L'Admiral (1694-1770) was a French born entomologist, miniature painter and engraver from Normandy, active in Amsterdam. Very good, given age. Ample margins. 

Excellent condition with old mounting hinges to verso.