Old engraving from 1839 - Finch by A. Fries. Plate of birds and botany.

Magnificent authentic engraving aged 186 years, not a mere reproduction: Common finch and Ardenne finch • Edition: in 1839 • Size: 18 x 28.5 cm • Artist: Adolphe Fries • Hand-coloured at the time with the utmost care on elegant, light cream vintage paper • Condition: very good. See also the photos The artist of the work is A. Fries, a 19th-century illustrator and painter-engraver, specialising in naturalist plates (animals, plants, etc.) This engraving comes from a natural history dictionary published in 1839, an emblematic work of the great illustrated encyclopaedias of the 19th century. It reflects the high artistic and scientific standards sought by this work, where the accuracy of naturalistic observation is combined with a careful and elegant composition. Authentic and original, it bears witness to the desire to disseminate knowledge through imagery while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. The book is a major reference in illustrated natural history. The illustration features two species of finches in their natural habitat. The common finch, with its brown-orange plumage, perches on a branch near a nest containing speckled blue eggs, while the Ardenne finch, with its brighter colours, blue-grey head, and brown-rufous plumage, is perched above. The composition includes a rural landscape in the background with a village steeple and eggs on the ground. • Find all our lithographs and prints in my shop • Send me a message for any questions • Fast delivery and careful packaging for a risk-free reception • For bulk purchases, send me a message for a single shipping fee and to discuss a discount Reference: 28-1-556 Text inscribed on the engraving: Pl 356 1 Common finch 2 Ardenne finch B Gestion del Keywords: Decoration, vintage, ornithology, finches, habitat, village, countryside