Bilder Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707–1788) – The Nutcracker (Le Casse-Noix) – Engraving (Circa 1775)



Beskrivning
This ornithological illustration depicts a Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), identified by the French common name LE CASSE-NOIX. (The Nutcracker). The bird is shown standing in profile on a rock, characterized by its heavily streaked and spotted plumage and its robust bill used for cracking nuts. The setting includes a dramatic, cloudy sky and a typical European landscape in the distance, featuring a bridge and a small church or building. The print's meticulous detail is derived from Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon’s monumental work, the Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux.
Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon was a renowned French naturalist, mathematician, and cosmologist. His massive, multi-volume Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière, and its section on birds (Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, 1770–1783), set a new standard for natural history documentation. The work was famed for its detailed, scientifically accurate engravings, which were commissioned under Buffon's supervision for the Royal Collection.
Artist or Maker: Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
Dimensions: Approximately 26 × 19 cm
Medium: Engraving
Date: Circa 1775
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.