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s Engraving of an Exotic Bird
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Woman Artist-Madame Pauline Knip
s Engraving of an Exotic Bird
$1,950
£1,473.97
€1,690.71
CA$2,718.38
A$2,959.18
CHF 1,570.73
MX$35,605.29
NOK 19,903.33
SEK 18,237.07
DKK 12,626.12
About the Item
Large-Scale Ornithological Engraving by Madame Knip (Plate 2 from Les Pigeons, c. 1809–1811)
A stunning and historically significant large-format color engraving of the Nicobar Pigeon (Columba nicobarica), Plate 2 from the rare and controversial ornithological masterpiece Les Pigeons (1809–1811). The work is credited to the pioneering female bird artist Madame Antoinette Pauline Knip (née Rifer de Courcelles, 1781–1851).
This plate is a tour de force of early 19th-century natural history illustration. The bird is depicted in a commanding profile, perched on a rocky outcrop. The engraving captures the iridescent, metallic plumage of the Nicobar pigeon—greens, coppers, and rusts—with extraordinary fidelity. The print is "printed in color and finished by hand," a labor-intensive technique that gives the feathers a luminous, almost three-dimensional quality.
The piece is presented in a gallery-quality giltwood frame with a clean white mat and is protected by Tru-Vue UV conservation glass to preserve the delicate hand-coloring.
Condition: [Insert Condition Here – e.g., Excellent antique condition. The colors remain vibrant and fresh. Paper is clean with no significant foxing or water stains. Not examined out of frame.]
Measurements:
Frame: 28 3/4 inches (73.0 cm) high x 21 3/4 inches (55.2 cm) wide x 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) deep
Sight: 20 3/4 inches (52.7 cm) high x 13 1/4 inches (33.7 cm) wide
Historical Context
Published between 1809 and 1811, Les Pigeons is famous not only for its artistic brilliance but for its "publishing scandal." While the text was written by the renowned zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck, Madame Knip (and her husband) maneuvered to have the title page altered to feature her name prominently, effectively sidelining the scientist. This act of "artistic pretense" caused a rift that led Temminck to eventually republish the work independently. Today, the "Knip Edition" is prized for its rarity and the sheer beauty of Pauline Knip's compositions, which merged scientific accuracy with the decorative elegance of the French Empire style.
Literature
Reference:
Conrad Temminck
Florentine Prévost, Les Pigeons: Plate 2.
Alexandra K. Neuman, "Publishing, Pretense, and Pigeons: The Case of Madame Knip," Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.
(Ref: NY09698-11)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Width: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
- Style:Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1809-1811
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good.
- Seller Location:Downingtown, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: NY09698-111stDibs: LU861025465432
About the Seller
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