Bilder Jacques Eustache de Sève (1742–1788) – La Pie-Grièche Grise – Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving (Late 18th Century)



Beskrivning
This hand-colored copperplate engraving by Jacques Eustache de Sève depicts the grey shrike (la pie-grièche grise) perched on a gnarled tree branch with a panoramic rural landscape in the background. The composition reflects the decorative naturalism typical of 18th-century French scientific illustration, balancing accurate ornithological detail with a sense of elegance and theatricality. The plate belongs to a larger zoological series, likely part of Buffon’s monumental
Histoire naturelle, one of the most ambitious natural history works of the Enlightenment era.
Jacques Eustache de Sève (1742–1788) was a French illustrator and engraver celebrated for his refined scientific illustrations. He collaborated closely with naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, creating hundreds of detailed plates for Buffon’s encyclopedic works. De Sève’s engravings are praised for combining scientific observation with artistic grace, helping to popularize natural history among both scholars and the public.
Artist or Maker:
Jacques Eustache de Sève
Dimensions:
27 cm x 20 cm
Medium:
Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving
Date:
Late 18th Century
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.