Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

François Nicolas Martinet
A Female Penguin: An 18th Century Hand-colored Engraving by Martinet

1765

About the Item

A hand-colored engraving of a female penguin entitled "Femelle du Pingoin" by Francois Nicolas Martinet, plate 1004 from 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux' in association with Georges Louis Leclerc Comte de Buffon, first published in Paris in 1765 by Edme Louis Daubento. It depicts a female penguin standing on a flat surface. This colorful and detailed hand-colored copperplate engraving is printed on high quality laid chain-linked paper, which measures 12.63" x 9.38". It is in excellent condition. Francois Nicolas Martinet (1731-c1804) was a French naturalist, engineer and artist, particularly as a skilled engraver. He produced engravings for numerous publication on natural history. He is best known for his bird engravings. Martinet also illustrated many plays and operas by Voltaire and others, as well as creating landscapes and scenes of Versailles and portraits of royalty and aristocrats. George Louis Leclerc Buffon (1707-1788) was a French aristocrat who became a very prominent and respected scientist and mathematician. He was the director of the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden in Paris. He published the 36 volume Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière (1749-1788) which included Martinet's bird illustrations. These engravings were later published on their own in Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Buffon was an early promoter of the the theory of evolution, recognized by Charles Darwin who acknowledged that "the first author who in modern times has treated it (evolution) in a scientific spirit was Buffon."
  • Creator:
    François Nicolas Martinet (1731 - 1800, French)
  • Creation Year:
    1765
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12.63 in (32.09 cm)Width: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
    1760-1769
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 44481stDibs: LU117327192292
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • His & Hers Prints, Pair of 18th Century Engravings of Male and Female Tapirs
    By Jacques Eustache de Seve
    Located in Harkstead, GB
    A very attractive pair of engravings of Male and Female Tapirs. Etching / engraving on hand laid paper. Sheet size:(7,9 x 10,2 inch). Image size: (6,3 x 7,9 inch). Framed size: 15...
    Category

    18th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Engraving

  • Greyhound
    By Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Greyhound 1773-1802 Engraving 14 x 10 inches Framed: 24 x 21 inches
    Category

    1770s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Engraving

  • Stow Wengenroth, Friendly Neighbors (Birds)
    By Stow Wengenroth
    Located in New York, NY
    Edition of 80. Signed and numbered in pencil. Really, no one could draw on a lithographic stone like Stow Wengenroth. He drew many animals and birds...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Naturalistic Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Terriers No. 2
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Terriers No. 2 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Terriers No. 1
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Terriers No. 1 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "Barmaid, " a Dwarf Beagle
    Located in Columbia, MO
    "Barmaid, " a Dwarf Beagle 1887 Etching 3 x 5
    Category

    Late 19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Etching

Recently Viewed

View All