Bilder François-Nicolas Martinet (1731–1800) – Merle des Philippines – Hand-coloured etching (1770)

Beskrivning

"Merle des Philippines" depicts a Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida), characterized by its vibrant green plumage, black head, and blue wing coverts, standing on a rocky outcrop. This hand-coloured etching is a plate from the monumental work Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, published by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, in Paris between 1770 and 1786. The illustration is part of the Planches Enluminées series, which set a new standard for ornithological accuracy and remains one of the most significant achievements in the history of natural science publishing.

François-Nicolas Martinet was a French engineer and engraver who became the most celebrated bird illustrator of the eighteenth century. He served as the official engraver to the Cabinet du Roi and worked closely with the leading naturalists of his time to document global avian species. His technique combined rigorous anatomical precision with a delicate use of hand-applied colour to capture the iridescence and texture of exotic feathers. Martinet’s prolific output for Buffon’s multi-volume series helped define the visual language of the Enlightenment's natural history movement.

Artist or Maker: François-Nicolas Martinet.

Dimensions: Approximately 28 cm x 18 cm.

Medium: Hand-coloured etching.

Date: 1770.

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.