Rare Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam 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 Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769 This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the buffalo, titled Le Buffle, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXV in Tome XI, the image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s principal illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. The plate is one of the most appealing large mammal portraits in the Buffon series, notable for its expressive character, fine engraving, and warm, atmospheric colouring. The buffalo stands in full profile on a grassy bank beneath a soft blue sky. Its muscular body, thick neck, and distinctive curved horns are rendered with precise cross-hatching, highlighting both strength and powerful form. The shaggy hair around the head and chest is drawn with exceptional sensitivity, giving the animal a lively, alert presence. Behind the buffalo, a distant landscape shows classical buildings, rolling hills, and soft vegetation—an elegant composition typical of de Sève, who often placed his subjects in idealised settings to evoke the exotic nature of these animals for 18th-century European audiences. Hand colouring in the Schneider edition is among the finest of all Buffon printings. The warm browns of the buffalo’s coat...

'Le Mouton de Barbarie' Copper-line engraving, circa 1765 From Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle, Generale et Particuliere Avec la Description du Cabinet du Roi" which was published in Paris. Jacques E. De Seve...

An 18th Century Hand Colored Engraving of a Camel from Thomas Pennant's famous publication on natural history "The British Zoology, Published under the Inspection of the Cymmrodorion...