The Aurelian; A Natural History of English Moths and Butterflies. Plate V: The Eyed Hawk and the White Sattin

Description:

A delightful hand-coloured copper engraving from the rare first edition of The Aurelian, 1766. The plate depicts the 'Eyed Hawk' (=Eyed Hawk-moth Smerithus ocellata) and the 'White Sattin moth' (=White Satin Moth Leucoma salicis), showing the various developmental stages on a branch of Willow (Salix). The 'Eyed Hawk is one of the most attractive of the hawkmoths. Foot of image, engraved 'Moses Harris ad Vivum', indicating that the drawing was made from living specimens.

Original accompanying text leaf loosely enclosed at rear of mount. Other plates are also available.

Moses Harris (1730-c.1788) was an English entomologist, painter, engraver and book illustrator, one of the most celebrated masters of insect portraiture. His most famous work, The Aurelian is considered one of the finest illustrated books of the eighteenth century; it is greatly admired for its artistic and accurate depictions of butterflies and moths, presented in the various stages of their life cycles.

(R. Mays, The Aurelian, Country Life Books, 1986)

Condition

Hinged onto card window mount. Image 298x230mm, mount 455x355mm.