Elegant 18th-Century Zebu Engraving – Buffon Dutch Edition, 1769

Elegant 1769 Morvant Ram Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Dutch Edition This impressive hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the Morvant ram, titled Le Morvant, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s monumental Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXX in Tome XI, this striking portrait is one of the most distinctive and decorative sheep and goat engravings in the entire Buffon series. Drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s leading illustrator, and engraved with great refinement, the plate combines scientific accuracy with a strong visual presence, typical of the finest work in the quadruped volumes. The Morvant ram stands in full profile on a raised foreground bank, its powerful build, muscular legs, and long shaggy coat rendered with exquisite detail. De Sève’s elegant cross-hatching gives volume and texture to the thick wool and the dark mane that drapes down the animal’s chest. The curved horns, expressive eye, and firm stance emphasise both the strength and the calm dignity of the breed. The hand colouring, characteristic of the Amsterdam Schneider edition, enriches the engraving with warm brown tones, natural greens, and soft blues that bring the entire composition to life. Behind the ram, a landscape of minarets, domed buildings, and distant walls evokes the North African or Near Eastern setting associated with ancient regional breeds. The broad sky, shaded in subtle blue-grey washes, anchors the scene and provides an atmospheric backdrop that complements the earthy foreground tones. As a result, the plate balances scientific illustration and picturesque landscape in a way that remains highly desirable for collectors and decorators alike. Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle represented one of the most ambitious publishing achievements of the Enlightenment, combining zoological study with an artistic sensibility. The Morvant ram, a robust and historically important breed, was of particular interest for its adaptability, distinctive appearance, and long-standing role in agriculture and local culture. This engraving served as one of the earliest widely circulated visual records of the breed in Western Europe. More than 250 years old, this sheet remains bright, clean, and visually engaging. The strong plate mark, generous margins, and refined hand colouring make it an excellent standalone artwork or a perfect companion to related Buffon plates such as the Tunis ram, zebu, buffalo, or yak. Condition report: Very good for age. Minor toning and small foxing marks mostly confined to margins. Light handling marks typical of 18th-century paper. Strong impression with clearly visible plate mark. Hand colouring fresh and well preserved. No tears or repairs observed. Framing tips: Frame with an ivory, pale grey, or warm cream mat to complement the soft colouring of the wool and sky. A walnut or natural oak frame enhances the warm tones, while a slim black frame creates a more modern contrast. Floating the sheet is an excellent option to highlight the wide margins and plate mark. Keywords: Morvant ram engraving Buffon natural history Amsterdam 1769 Jacques de Sève hand coloured copper engraving antique sheep print...

Antique print titled 'Der ungehörnte Zebu (..) - Der Zebu'. Original antique print of zebu and horned zebu. This print originates from 'Naturhistorische Abbildungen der Saeugethiere'...

Rare Antique Rhinoceros Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769 Description: This striking 18th-century engraving of the Indian rhinoceros, titled Le Rhinoceros, comes from the Dutch edition of Buffon’s monumental natural history, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate VII in Tome XI, this is one of the most dramatic and desirable mammal plates in the entire series. The image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, the principal artist for Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch, whose finely controlled linework captures the heavy folds, armour-like hide, and distinctive single horn of Rhinoceros unicornis with remarkable accuracy. Buffon’s description of the rhinoceros reflected the 18th century’s growing scientific curiosity about exotic species, and this plate reflects that fascination. The animal is shown standing solidly on a grassy bank against a pale sky and rocky cliff, a composition that emphasises both its mass and its rarity. De Sève’s rendering combines scientific observation with something of the romance and wonder that natural history imagery held for Enlightenment audiences. The armour-plated skin is depicted in sculptural relief through subtle cross-hatching, while carefully applied hand colouring enhances the deep greys, browns, and dusty pinks of the hide and landscape. As with all Schneider-edition plates, the colouring is richer, more transparent, and more refined than in many other continental versions of Buffon. This engraving is an excellent example of 18th-century copperplate technique. The plate mark is clearly visible, the impression strong, and the proportions generous, with wide margins characteristic of the Amsterdam edition. The sheet forms a beautiful standalone artwork but also pairs exceptionally well with other large-format Buffon subjects such as the elephant, camel, or buffalo plates...

Rare 1769 Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam Edition This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving, titled Le Mouton de Barbarie (Plate XXXVIII from Tome ...

Etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

Le Buffle is an etching realized in 1771 by Claude Jardinier. Titled and Signed on the plate. The artwork Belongs to the suite "Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière avec la...

The Cow is an etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. The artwork Belongs to the suite "Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière avec la description du Cabinet du Roi"....

Early 19th century cattle engraving from Rees' Cyclopaedia. Sydenham Teast Edwards (1768-1819), was a natural history illustrator. He produced watercolours for engraving for Curtis's Botanical Magazine, New Botanic...