18th Century and Earlier Prints

The prints depict two different bat species, both intricately illustrated with a level of detail that suggests they come from Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber's "Die Säugthiere i...

Original Hand-Colored engraving with the specific species mentioned as: "Vespertilio Serotinus Buff" (the Asian parti-colored bat), indicate the types of bats documented in Schreber...

This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793. This engraving is part of the "...

The image features an 18th-century engraving from Bernard de Montfaucon's "L'Antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures." It depicts a classical lamp in the form of a mounted ride...

Title: "Elegance in Black and White: Viverra Mephitis Linn." Description: This hand-colored print, meticulously drawn by J. Hle and engraved by J. Beck, features 'Viverra Mephitis L...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian. This plate is part of a comprehensive collection comprising 17 plates. Check out other listings to view the entire series. 1964 Hoffman and Campe Verlag, Hamburg Complete production Mladinska Knjiga, Ljubljana/Yugoslavia. This 1964 official reproduction table come from the editions: Dissertation sur la génération et les transformations des insectes de Surinam, The Hague, Pierre Gosse, 1726, and Over de Voortteeling en Wonderbaerlyke Veranderingen der Surinaamsche insects, Amsterdam, Jean Frederic Bernard, 1730. PEPPERS AND MOTIVES Paprika, from the night damage family, a gift from the New to the Old World, a pleasant one like tomatoes and potatoes, like corn and beans, not a dangerous one like tobacco. You can no longer imagine our, especially the Mediterranean cuisine of the pre-Columbian period, both received such enrichment from America, potatoes, corn, beans as substances, tomatoes and peppers as spices and flavors, foreign, from far away , adding a new dimension to our dishes. The pepper has become the strongest source of vitamins in our latitudes, an indispensable medicine in our often denatured food. The varieties we grow belong to the species Capsicum annuum, the plant drawn by the painter is Capsicum sinense, of which two or three fruit shapes and different stages of ripeness were combined on one branch. The ripe fruit bodies are visible on the eye of the tongue: anyone who looks at them will taste the peppery spiciness after a while. The leaf is a triangle, it thins from the lower broad solidity of the capsule area up to the lightness of the buds and flowers. Diversity also in the fact that the fruits are of different lengths, different colors, harmony between the dark green and red shapes, relief-like articulation of the pod surfaces. Butterfly, chrysalis and caterpillar cannot be precisely defined; they are hawkmoths from a group that counts seventy species in tropical America. A close relative of the strong-snouted Cocytius antarus - the pupa's beak is also noticeable here. (Original plate no. 55) ____________________________________ Maria Sibylla...

An original antique hand-colored print of a woman in an elaborate dress, which is described as the "Habit of a Lady of Quality in France." This suggests that the attire represented is that of an affluent or noble woman from France, possibly from the 18th century given the style of the dress and the method of printmaking. The dress itself features a rich blue gown with gold accents and what appears to be an underskirt or petticoat of a contrasting color, potentially gold or yellow. The woman is wearing a headdress, which also fits with the fashion of the European upper class of the period. Such prints were often part of fashion plates or costume books that depicted the latest styles and were used by tailors, dressmakers, and the fashion-conscious elite to stay up-to-date with the latest trends from various European courts and cities. It's a detailed representation of historical clothing...

The image is an original antique handcolored plate from "A Natural History of English Insects" published in 1749 by Eleazar Albin. Albin, likely of German origin and known initially ...

Engraving on laid paper of the Piazza Navona in Rome. The view is expansive, with the Fontana del Moro in the foreground, the Fiumi Fountain in the center of the piazza, and the dome...

Page 8 from Issac Ware's book "A Complete Body Of Architecture, Adorned With Plans and Elevations, From Original Designs, By Isaac Ware, Esq. Of His Majesty's B...

An original and finely hand-colored print of a Cardinal bird, signed by William Hayes with a reference to the year 1780 (or 1786). This particular print is titled 'Cardinals', whic...

Vitex. Upper Right: CCLXXV. Lower Left: I. Miller. Delin. et. Sculp. Lower Center: Publish'd according to Act by Parliament by P. Miller. December 22, 1758. Author: Philip Miller Sou...

This is an original antique architectural design for a pulpit in baroque style with archway and balustrade dating approximately between 1740 and 1760. The artist responsible for th...

This illustration is from Eleazar Albin's work, as indicated by the signature "E. Albin del.", meaning "drawn by Eleazar Albin". It is a plate from his series on natural history, spe...

Architectural design with the central elements depicted in the engraving: the Baroque design of the pulpit, the inclusion of a Corinthian column which suggests a classical influence, and the presence of a staircase plan indicating the approach to the pulpit. Dating approximately between 1740 and 1760. The artist responsible for this design is Franz Xaver Habermann, and it was published by Johann Georg Hertel I in Augsburg. The design shows a richly decorated pulpit and archway, typical of the Rococo style, which is known for its elaborate ornamentation, asymmetry, and curves. This image is one of four numbered plates related to this work. The detail in the engraving is meticulous, showcasing the elaborate aesthetic that characterized much of the European art and architecture during the mid-18th century. Franz Xaver Habermann (1721–1796) was a German engraver and etcher who was active during the 18th century, a period marked by the Rococo style. Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Habermann contributed significantly to the graphic arts during his time. Habermann's work often featured architectural designs, such as the intricate pulpit depicted in the image you've provided. He was skilled in creating prints that detailed elaborate decorative schemes and architectural fantasies, which were popular during the Rococo period. His creations were known for their intricate details and the fluidity of their lines, capturing the lightness and ornamental excesses that characterized Rococo design. Johann Georg Hertel I, who published Habermann's work, was part of a notable family of engravers and publishers in Augsburg, a city that was an important center for publishing in Europe at the time. The Hertel family played a significant role in disseminating artistic and architectural designs through their publications. While specific details about Habermann’s life and training may not be as well-documented as those of major artists of his time, his surviving works suggest that he was a highly skilled engraver who had mastered the Rococo style, contributing to the spread of this aesthetic through his printed works. His designs would have influenced the tastes of the period, both within Germany and across Europe, where the appetite for such elaborate designs was significant. More in detail about this engraving: This engraving features a detailed representation of a Baroque-style preacher's pulpit, intricately designed and placed upon a Corinthian column, demonstrating the grandeur of religious architecture during the Baroque period. The pulpit is richly adorned with elaborate scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and possibly religious iconography, all common elements in Baroque ecclesiastical design. A significant feature of this print is the inclusion of architectural details such as the Corinthian column base, known for its ornate capital with acanthus leaves and scrolls, which supports the pulpit above. This classical element signifies stability and order, providing a stark contrast to the exuberant decoration of the pulpit itself. To the right of the pulpit, there's a tall, slender window filled with panes that could either be clear or stained glass, framed by an ornate window arch...

Original antique hand-colored engraving of the Norway Lemming, originating from "Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen," which translates to "The Mammals...

This is an original antique architectural design for a rococo pulpit dating approximately between 1740 and 1760. The artist responsible for this design is Franz Xaver Habermann, an...

This is an original antique architectural design for a pulpit in baroque style dating approximately between 1740 and 1760. The artist responsible for this design is Franz Xaver Hab...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian...

Given the engraver's name, G. Vogel, and the visual style and content of the print, it is quite likely that this engraving is from Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber's "Die Säugeth...

Hippocrepis. Upper Right: Pl. CCLXXVII. Lower Left: R. Lancake delin. Lower Center: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament by P. Miller January 26, 1759. Lower Right: I. Miller scu...

The collage of original antique engravings a compilation of three prints from the "Encyclopédie" by Diderot and d'Alembert. Each print showcases various furnishings and decorative elements relating to beds and upholstery from the 18th century. The collection presents a visual guide to the design and craftsmanship of the period. In the first print, we see two types of beds with canopies, known as "Lit à colonnes" and "Lit à la Duchesse," accompanied by different fabric patterns that might be used for the bed drapery or other upholstery within a room. The second print continues with illustrations of beds, including "Lit à double tombeau" and "Lit à tombeau simple," a camp bed or "Lit de camp à l'Angloise," as well as a folding screen ("Paravent"), a fire screen ("Ecran"), and a type of swing door ("Porte-Batante"). The third print features a more elaborate "Lit à la Polonaise...

Echinops. Upper Right: Pl. CXXX. Lower Left: R. Lancake delin. Lower Center: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament by P. Miller Novem. the 30th 1756. Lower Right: I. S. Miller Scu...

This image is a botanical illustration by Eleazar Albin, from "A Natural History of English Insects." The dedication at the bottom reads: "To the most Noble Mary Preston Dutchess of...

Salvia. Upper Right: Pl. CCXXV. Lower Left: I. Miller delin et Sculp. Lower Center: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament by P Miller April 21. 1758. Author: Philip Miller Source ...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian. This plate is part of a comprehensive collection comprising 17 plates. Check out other listings to view the entire series. 1964 Hoffman and Campe Verlag, Hamburg Complete production Mladinska Knjiga, Ljubljana/Yugoslavia. This 1964 official reproduction table come from the editions: Dissertation sur la génération et les transformations des insectes de Surinam, The Hague, Pierre Gosse, 1726, and Over de Voortteeling en Wonderbaerlyke Veranderingen der Surinaamsche insects, Amsterdam, Jean Frederic Bernard, 1730. CORAL TREE AND SILK MOTH The plant is Erythrina glanca, the blue-green coral tree, easily recognized as a legume by its fruits, called Koffiemama by the Surinamese Dutch because it is used as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations. Both crops do not tolerate the direct rays of the tropical sun well. Erythrina is also called pallisade booms because the Indians split the logs and build huts and walls from the boards. The inflorescences are so heavy that the branches are pulled against the ground and only stand up again when the petals fall off. The ripe fruit cluster has pods like a broom and also serves this purpose among the natives. If the sheet with the pomegranate (original plate no. 9) lived in the tension of red and blue, one can speak less of tension here, one must speak of a moving fullness of life, which is expressed in green, yellow and brown along the two diagonals is formed by the branch, the other by the opposition of the two butterflies, the upper female and the lower male. The butterfly is Arsenura cassandra from the family Syssphingidae, from the family group of silk moths. This species creates interest through the molting of the caterpillars. Those that have just hatched from the egg are striped black and yellow and have thorns on the front and back. Over the course of five molts, the animals turn orange with a black spot on each limb, the thorns wither and finally disappear completely before pupation. Here, too, the author of the composition has made a sacrifice of accuracy: the caterpillar pupates in the ground or on the surface in leaves and mulch, but not at the top of the tree. (Original plate no. 11) ____________________________________ Maria Sibylla...

This image is an antique colored etching from a botanical work by J.W. Weinmann, titled "Duidelyke vertoning eeniger duizend in alle vier waerelds deelen wassende bomen, stammen, kru...

This is a wonderful bird's-eye plan/view of the oldest city in Sweden. Visby, the largest city on the island of Gotland was an important Viking city and the main centre of the Ha...

A New and Accurate Map of that District of Great Britain called England & Wales &c. from the latest & most Correct Surveys. By T Kitchen, Geographer & Hydrographer to His Majesty. Up...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian. This plate is part of a comprehensive collection comprising 17 plates. Check out other listings to view the entire series. 1964 Hoffman and Campe Verlag, Hamburg Complete production Mladinska Knjiga, Ljubljana/Yugoslavia. This 1964 official reproduction table come from the editions: Dissertation sur la génération et les transformations des insectes de Surinam, The Hague, Pierre Gosse, 1726, and Over de Voortteeling en Wonderbaerlyke Veranderingen der Surinaamsche insects, Amsterdam, Jean Frederic Bernard, 1730. MEXICAN SPRAY POPPIES AND HLONGHORN BEETLES The plant is a prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, native to Mexico but distributed throughout the tropics. A successful ensemble: the soft, light fullness of the flowers, the repellent prickliness of the leaves, the metallic, solid and dark tone of the beetles and the fat, angelic whitishness of the maggots. Here too, a breakout from the butterfly area, no dusty forms, but chiselled ones. Three different species of longhorn beetles and two maggots. The middle, largest beetle is perhaps Callipogon barbatus. Here too, reality was treated freely for the sake of the composition. The beetle larvae do not live on plants, but mostly in the soil, in the humus of weathering plant parts, and if not there, then in trunks and stems. The author says it herself: »I found small worms under the roots of this plant, orange in color with a black head and tail. They turned into yellow-spotted beetles - just like one was drawn in flight at the bottom left. She encountered the second worm in rotten wood, which became the top beetle, which still retains something worm-like on its belly. (Original plate no. 24) ____________________________________ Maria Sibylla...

Map reproducing the map of the Academy and its contours near Athens for use in the journey of Anacarsi the Younger, by Mr. Barbie of Bocage; the map, made by cartographer D'Anville, ...

Bethune. A Strong Town in the Earldom of Artois in the Low Countries, Subject to the French. J. Basire Sculp. Lower Center: Plan of Bethune. For Mr. Tindal's Continuation of Mr. Rapi...

Title: "Rosersberg Palace: Dual Perspectives by Willem Swidde" Description: The featured antique engravings portray Rosersberg Palace in Sweden, captured from two distinct vantage p...

Set of Three Hand Colored Copper Wheel Engraved Floral Prints by John Hill c1756. One print signed in the plate, "I Hill." Published in England and hand colored. From an edition of 6...

This is an antique hand-colored print depicting the manor known as Schelenora, showing the building's facade and garden. The engraving is part of the collection "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" ("Ancient and Modern Sweden") by Erik Dahlbergh, a monumental work illustrating the grandeur of Sweden during its period as a great power. Sköldnora Manor, previously known as Skällnora, is located in Fresta parish, Upplands Väsby municipality, Stockholm County, on the eastern shore of Lake Norrviken. The estate dates back to 1276 and has a rich history including ownership by Birger Persson, the father of Saint Bridget, in 1296. The original main building depicted in "Suecia antiqua et hodierna" was demolished in 1718. The current main building, completed in 1741, showcases Rococo...

The manors depicted in this original antique engraving, Kärsö and Malmvik, are located in Sweden. The image is a copper engraving from the famous work "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," ...

From Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published 1705 Engravings by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter (Sluiter) and D. Stoopendaal after Maria Sybilla Merian. This plate is part of a comprehensive collection comprising 17 plates. Check out other listings to view the entire series. 1964 Hoffman and Campe Verlag, Hamburg Complete production Mladinska Knjiga, Ljubljana/Yugoslavia. This 1964 official reproduction table come from the editions: Dissertation sur la génération et les transformations des insectes de Surinam, The Hague, Pierre Gosse, 1726, and Over de Voortteeling en Wonderbaerlyke Veranderingen der Surinaamsche insects, Amsterdam, Jean Frederic Bernard, 1730. BATATE AND SPINNER A rich engraving, the diversity depicted is introduced by the unusual duality of the forage plants. The climbing plant with the blue morning glory flower and the underground tuber is in fact a convolvulaceae, the Ipomoea batatas, sweet potato or batate, which is widely grown in the tropics and subtropics. The yellow-flowered herb is a relative of bananas, a Heliconia, whose species could not be determined. The juxtaposition of the towering and twining growth, the lower, self-contracted tuber and the upper, bright, differentiated flower. A tropical bug flies towards the top left. At the top right is a spider caterpillar with a cocoon - an error on the part of the author that she let the bug emerge from the web. Below are two caterpillars, the pupa and two butterflies of a dioptid, a family of about five hundred similar species that inhabits America. Here too, definitions are only possible with anatomical examination, as the species imitate each other, predominantly with red-black markings. Maria Sibylla...

Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann Title: "Lilio asphodelus luteus. Lilio asphodelus phoeniceus. Lilium album" Medium: Colored etching Source: "Duidelyke vertoning eeniger duiz...

Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann Title: "Lilium album peregrinum. Lilium buliferum, Knöpfigte Feuer Lilien. Lilium croceum minus, Feuer Lilien." Medium: Colored etching Catal...

The image is an original antique copperplate engraving by Swidde, completed in 1695. The scene is a meticulous depiction of an elegant palace and its formal gardens, rendered in the ...

The engraving depicts a grand manor house surrounded by formal gardens. It is titled "Facies Splendidissimi Ornatißimique Palatii," which suggests it is an illustration of an opulent...

The engraving is a historical depiction of Rosersberg Castle, a baroque estate in Sweden. These engravings, often created in the 1690s as part of Erik Dahlberg's collection, typicall...

Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann Title: "Laburnum, seu Anasyris flore luteo" Medium: Colored etching Catalog Number: N.655 This image is an colored etching from J.W. Weinman...

An original copper engraving from the renowned "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," an atlas of Sweden created under the direction of Erik Dahlberg in the late 17th century. This particular engraving, crafted by Willem Swidde in 1692, depicts the Östanå herrgård (manor house) in Gränna, located in the Jönköping county of Småland. The engraving showcases the manor in a stately fashion, with a classical architectural design featuring symmetrical wings and a central structure adorned with a grand staircase. The scene is animated with figures in the foreground, indicating the manor's role as a hub of activity and societal life. The garden layout...

An handcolored original antique print of Svartsjö Castle, located on the island of Färingsö in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden. The castle has a rich history, with the current building da...

This is a historical etching from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna", which translates to "Ancient and Modern Sweden", a large work that includes a collection of engravings...

This print is from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which is a significant work depicting Sweden during its era as a great power. The collection of engravings...

The engraving depicts Ericsberg Castle (Erichsberg), a baroque castle located in Södermanland, Sweden. This hand-colored print is from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna" (Ancient and Moder...

Makalös or De la Gardieska palace, from 1643. View from Jacob's church. Later function as an arsenal and armory chamber. Rebuilt as the Dramatic Theater in 1793. Destroyed by fire on November 24, 1825. Copper engraving in Suecia antiqua et hodierna, from about 1667. This print is from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which is a significant work depicting Sweden during its era as a great power. The collection of engravings...

This original print is a hand-colored engraving of Ulriksdal Castle, also historically known as "Jacobsdal" due to its location in the area of Solna near Stockholm, Sweden. The title...

The print is aan original detailed 1695 engraving of Ekolsund Castle in Sweden, crafted by Willem Swidde. The engraving is part of the collection from "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which was a grand work showcasing the estates and landmarks of Sweden through elaborate illustrations. The scene depicted in the engraving is a classic example of the baroque garden architecture style, with geometrically arranged gardens, symmetrical layouts, and an expansive approach leading up to the castle, emphasizing the grandeur and formality of the estate. The meticulous detail in the gardens and the inclusion of figures within the grounds suggest a vibrant and cultured estate life. Ekolsund Castle, located in Enköping Municipality in Uppsala County, Sweden, is a manor house with a rich history dating back to the 14th century. By the 15th century, it was owned by the prominent Bengt Jönsson...

An antique engraving depicting a dance scene titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," Otaheite being an archaic name for Tahiti in French Polynesia. This engraving would have been created as a part of a series to document the culture and life of the Tahitian people, likely observed by European explorers during one of the many voyages to the South Pacific in the 18th century. In the foreground, there are central figures engaged in a dance, wearing traditional Polynesian attire, which includes wraps around their waists and adornments that seem to represent status or a part of the dance costume. They are holding what appear to be fans, which may be part of the traditional dance. The dancers' poses suggest movement and a performance aspect to the scene. Behind the dancers, we can see a group of musicians providing the accompaniment, playing drums, which indicates the importance of music and rhythm in the dance. To the right, there is an audience of seated individuals, likely members of the community, watching the performance. The background of the scene includes thatched huts and a lush landscape with palm trees, depicting a typical village setting in Tahiti. The checkerboard pattern on the ground where the dance takes place is notable, as it adds a sense of structure to the scene. This image would have been intended for a European audience unfamiliar with Tahitian culture and would have served as a visual record of the encounters between European explorers and the peoples of the Pacific Islands. The engraving you've uploaded, titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," is likely from a work documenting the voyages of Captain James Cook, given the style and subject matter. Captain Cook made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during the 18th century, and his encounters with the peoples of the Pacific, including those of Tahiti (Otaheite), were extensively recorded and published. The engravings from Cook's voyages were made by artists who accompanied him, such as John Webber on his third voyage, or were based on sketches made by other crew members. These images were then published in the official accounts of the voyages. The most notable of these accounts is "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean" undertaken during Cook's third voyage from 1776 to 1780, which was published in the years following his death in 1779. Another possible source for this engraving could be from the accounts of Joseph Banks. Banks was a naturalist who joined Cook on his first voyage (1768-1771) aboard the HMS Endeavour and was responsible for extensive collections and descriptions of Pacific cultures. His collections and later works also included illustrations and engravings of the scenes and peoples encountered. Given that the engraving is labeled as "London Published as the Act directs by Alexr. Hogg at the Kings Arms...

Pair of engravings by Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi of Roman intaglio from Leonardo Agostini's book "Le gemme antiche figurate". The firs...

The engraving provided is a hand-colored work by the artist and engraver, Johannes or Johan van der Aveelen,. He worked on engravings for Erik Dahlbergh’s project, "Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna," which was a grand collection of engravings...

An engraving by Willem Swidde from 1696. The print features a palatial estate surrounded by formal gardens, a common representation of baroque architecture and landscaping. The centr...

Set of four engravings by Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi of Roman intaglio from Leonardo Agostini's book "Le gemme antiche figurate". The ...

Original antique engraving of 'Westras' or Västerås in Sweden The location referred to in the print is likely "Westras," which seems to be a historic name or variant spelling relate...