Price: $225.00
SKU: 54886
ARTIST: Francois Nicolas Martinet
PUBLISHER: Published in Paris by the Imprimerie Royale.
MEDIUM: Etching,
DATE: c. 1775.
EDITION SIZE: Image size 8 3/8 x 6 3/4" (21.2 x 17.1 cm).
DESCRIPTION: This finely hand-colored engraving depicts a heron-like wading bird from the Coromandel Coast of southeastern India, likely the Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii). Referred to in French as a “crabier,” the bird is shown in a coastal setting, reflecting its preference for marshes and wetlands where it feeds on small aquatic prey. The illustration was executed by François-Nicolas Martinet, whose collaboration with Buffon on this monumental natural history series resulted in one of the most ambitious ornithological works of the 18th century. As Sitwell notes, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux remains “the most ambitious and comprehensive bird book which had appeared” and still “one of the most important of all bird books,” due in large part to Martinet’s exceptional artistic contributions.
ADDITIONAL INFO: This piece is in a 11 x 14 inch mat for handling.
CONDITION: Good condition with minor loss along the binding margin, not affecting the image. Original 18th century hand color.
REFERENCE: Sitwell, Fine Bird Books, 63.
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