Bilder Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788) – Studies of a Flying Lemur and Primates – Hand-coloured copper engraving (1775)

Beskrivning

"Plaat VII". This work illustrates three exotic mammals, featuring a colugo or flying lemur with extended patagium at the top, and two primates below, including a ring-tailed lemur holding fruit and a seated monkey consuming berries. This hand-coloured copper engraving is from the Dutch edition of the monumental natural history series De algemeene en bijzondere natuurlike historie, published by J.H. Schneider in Amsterdam starting in 1775. The series was a landmark achievement in the Enlightenment, seeking to document every known animal species with scientific precision and high-quality artistic illustration.

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, was a preeminent French naturalist, mathematician, and cosmologist who served as the director of the Jardin du Roi in Paris. He spent fifty years composing his masterwork, Histoire Naturelle, which challenged traditional biblical timelines and laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Buffon was a central figure of the French Enlightenment, influencing generations of scientists including Lamarck and Darwin through his comprehensive observations of the natural world. His work was widely translated and remained the definitive zoological authority across Europe for decades.

Artist or Maker
Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon.

Dimensions:
Approximately 21 cm x 13 cm.

Medium:
Hand-coloured copper engraving.

Date:
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.