Bilder Denis Diderot (1713–1784) – Sea Birds – Engraving (1768)

Beskrivning

"Histoire Naturelle, Ornithologie" depicts four large aquatic birds including a cormorant, a pelican, and two types of gannets shown in various poses such as standing on rocky outcrops and diving toward the water. The copper engraving illustrates the physical characteristics of these species as part of a systematic study of the natural world. This work was published in Paris in 1768 as part of the Encyclopedie, ou dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers, a landmark publication of the French Enlightenment edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert.

Denis Diderot was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer who served as the primary editor and co-founder of the Encyclopedie. His work aimed to challenge traditional authority by consolidating and industrializing the collective knowledge of the era. He spent over twenty years overseeing the production of thousands of articles and illustrative plates that documented everything from philosophy to mechanical trades. Diderot remains a central figure in the history of Western thought for his contributions to the Enlightenment and his promotion of empirical observation.

Artist or Maker: Robert Benard and Denis Diderot.

Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 21 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1768.

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.