Date of Printing: 1760 • Medium: Copperplate Engraving (hand colored) • Subject Category: Natural History - Mammals • Signed: Unsigned • Period Created: Enlightenment (1700 - 1799) • Plate Size HxWxD cm: 29 x 25 • Leaf Paper Size HxW cm: 29 x 25 • Style: Original Vintage • Print on Verso: Blank on verso • Condition: Excellent • Edition Type: 1st Edition - Limited • Paper Type: Laid Paper • Framed: Print only
1760 - Jaques De Seve, Deer Stag ANTLERS Superb LARGE copper engraving in exquisite hand colour
Author: Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788), Paris
Source: Comte de Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle, Generale Et Particuliere, avec la Description du Cabinet du Roi" (Natural History, General and Specific with the Description of the King's Cabinet). Engraver: Baquoy, Jean Charles (French, 1721 - 1788)
Designer Artist: De Seve, Jacques E. (French, fl. 1742 - 1788)
Note: Jacques E. De Seve, also listed as Jacques Eustache de Seve, was the principal artist commissioned by Georges-Louis Leclerec, Comte de Buffon to illustrate 'Histoire Naturelle, Generale Et Particuliere, avec la Description du Cabinet du Roi' from 1749 to 1760. He also produced illustrations for 'Encyclopedie Methodique', from 1774 to 1832.
J. E. De Seve was more artist than naturalist, He was not content to simply portray his animals in a dry and factual manner. Rather, he insisted on providing full backgrounds, including classical landscapes. One writer comments, "The illustrations to Buffon's original edition are exquisitely engraved and exude aristocratic elegance and charm. Whether the animal depicted is a lion or a pig, it is shown as if in a tableau revealed to our curious gaze by the drawing aside of a curtain. The animals do not seem like wild beasts roaming free in their native woods, deserts and mountains, but like actors performing among stage props and painted scenery for the benefit of the lords of creation." It can be thus argued that no natural history artist was as influential as De Seve, and today his early and scarce etchings are avidly sought after.
Condition: EXCELLENT condition. Please view images carefully.