Naturalistic Animal Prints

'Katzen' (Cats) German wood-engraving, circa 1895. 240mm by 155mm (sheet)

'Wading Egret', color woodblock, c. 1900 - 1910. Signed 'Koson' in black ink with the artist’s red seal beneath, lower left. A superb, skillfully-inked impression, with fresh colors,...

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 39; Unidentified tree with moth, caterpillar and pupa. The Netherlands: 1705....

Four plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With one 1.5 inch inch tear across the area of the top-left corner, well outside of image area. Handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: CXXI, CXXII, CXXIII, & CXXIV. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 6; Thistle and Moths. The Netherlands: 1705. Engraving with hand coloring in w...

'Gesteine' (Rocks) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. 240mm by 155mm (sheet)

A hand-colored copperplate engraving of a bird and plants by Mark Catesby (1683-1749) entitled "The Crested Titmous" from "The Natural History of Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahama Islands", published in 1731. It depicts a small Crested Titmous bird, facing left, perched on the stem of a plant with clusters of mauve colored star-like flowers. This original Catesby hand-colored engraving, on laid paper with a large central Fleur-de-Lys watermark, is presented in a cream color French mat. The mat measures 20" x 15.5" and the sheet measures 18.75" x 14.75". Mark Catesby was born in England to a prosperous family, but he traveled to America, first to visit his sister and her husband in 1712. From 1712 to 1719 he explored America observing its birds and plants, taking notes, creating drawings and collecting specimens. He returned to England with this material and created more detailed drawings. His next visit to America 1722-1726 allowed for more detailed research. Upon his return to England he created his monumental and beautiful work "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and Bahama Islands", which was published in London in two folio volumes of 11 parts each consisting of 20 plates...

This is a hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Grypus Naevius" (Saw-bill Hummingbird with Nest & Eggs) by John Gould, published in his "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds", published in London in 1850. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Hullmandel and Walton, depicts three black, brown and peach-colored hummingbirds about a nest, containing at least two eggs. The beautiful soft grey-green foliage includes a white, soft pink and cranberry-colored flower. This beautiful Gould hand-colored hummingbird lithograph is augmented with iridescent gum-arabic paint. It is in excellent condition. The original text page is included, which has extensive foxing, as lower quality paper was used for the text pages. There are several other unframed Gould hummingbird lithographs available via our 1stdibs storefront. Two or more of these would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of a set depending on the number. These additional Gould hummingbirds...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "The Cougar, Male", No. 20, Plate XCVI, 96 from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America". It was d...

An original rare and extremely collectible first edition John James Audubon hand colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Black-throated Diver", No. 96, Plate 477, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts three Black-throated Divers; an adult male (1), an adult female (2) and a young Diver (3). The male sits on the bank, while the young Diver floats in the water and the female watches...

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 58; Ice Cream Bean Plant, Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly and Caterpillar with Mot...

John James Audubon was born in Haiti in 1785. Most of his childhood was spent in France, where he first took interest in birds and drawing. He came to the U.S. at age 18, and made ma...

This is a framed hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Campylopterus Hyperythrus" (Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Hummingbird), Plate 51 from John Gould's "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds", published in London in 1850. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Hullmandel and Walton, depicts three hummingbirds displaying multiple colors, including, green, blue and shades of brown highlights among burgundy and cream colored flowers. The hummingbirds are highlighted by bright iridescent metallic paint. This beautiful Gould hummingbird...

This is an original framed 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Diphogena Aurora" (Bolivian Rainbow Hummingbirds) by John Gould, from his "Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Hummingbirds", published in London in 1853. The print depicts two Bolivian Rainbow hummingbirds feeding on the nectar of small flowers on a branch. This striking framed Gould hand-colored lithograph is presented in a antiqued gold frame, a gold-colored fillet, and a light tan French mat, embellished with a mint-colored broad band. The frame measures 32" high, 25.5" wide and 1.25" thick. The hand-coloring is enhanced by the use of gum-arabic paint on the hummingbirds heads and necks, giving them an iridescent appearance. The descriptive text page from Gould's original publication is included. It is affixed to the back of the frame in a clear sleeve. The piece is in excellent condition. There are several other unframed Gould bird lithographs available on our 1stdibs and InCollect storefronts. Two or more of these striking lithographs would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of a set depending on the number. These additional Gould hummingbirds may be viewed by typing Timeless Intaglio in the 1stdibs or InCollect search field to be taken to our storefront. John Gould (1804-1881]) was an English ornithologist and artist. He, like his American contemporary John James Audubon, published a number of books on birds in the mid 19th century, illustrated by hand-colored lithographs. His wife and fellow artist, Elizabeth Gould, and several other artists including Edward Lear and Henry Constantine Richter produced lithographs for his various publications. He has been considered the father of bird study in Australia and the Gould League in Australia is named after him. Charles Darwin referenced Gould’s work in his book, "On the Origin of Species" and Gould named a bird after Darwin; "Darwin's finches". Gould began his career in London as a taxidermist, but in 1827 became the first curator and conservator at the museum of the Zoological Society of London. In this position naturalists brought him collections of birds from all over the world. He began creating drawings and eventually hand-colored lithographs with his wife and Edward Lear, which were the basis for his first publications. Darwin brought him specimens from the Galapagos Islands, including 12 species of finches which had never been described. In 1838, Gould and his wife travelled to Australia and their work led to the seven volume publication of “The Birds of Australia”. Gould had a fascination for hummingbirds and collected specimens of 320 varieties before ever seeing a live hummingbird on a trip to the United States in 1857. He eventually published “A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds". Other large publications include: "The Birds of Europe"," A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans”, “A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia, and the Adjacent Islands”, “A Monograph of the Odontophorinae, or Partridges of America”, “The Birds of Asia”, “The Birds of Great Britain” and "The Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papuan Islands, including many new species recently discovered in Australia". John Gould (1804-1881) was a British ornithologist and illustrator who is best known for his monumental work, "The Birds of Europe," published between 1832 and 1837. Gould was born in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, and began working as a taxidermist and natural history dealer in London in the 1820s. In 1827, Gould was appointed the first curator and preserver of birds at the Zoological Society of London, where he began to build his collection of specimens and began to study the birds of the world. He published his first monograph, "A Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains," in 1831, which included 80 plates of Himalayan birds. Gould continued to publish numerous volumes on the birds of the world throughout his life, including "The Birds of Australia" (1840-1848) and "The Birds of Great Britain" (1862-1873). His works were highly regarded for their accuracy and detail, and he was one of the most prominent ornithologists of his time. In addition to his work as an ornithologist, Gould was also a successful businessman, and he used his profits to fund expeditions and to support the scientific community. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1843, and he was awarded the Royal Medal...

American Crow by J.J. Audubon from his Birds of America folio shows an adult male crow in a Black Walnut bush with a nest of a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in a branch below the crow. This original chromolithograph plate no. 226 is in good condition with a repairable water mark in the image on the left side as can be seen in the photos. The ” Birds of America” by John James...

Image dimensions: 16.5x10 cm Signed on plate by the artist. Bibliography: A.Baboni, L’Ottocento: le incisioni di Giovanni Fattori, Museo Civico “Giovanni Fattori”, Livorno 2001, p. 7...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Trumpeter Swan, Adult", No. 77, Plate 382 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lit...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Mango Humming bird, 1. 2. Males. 3. Female. Bignonia grandifolia", No. 51, Plate 251 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1870-1871. The lithograph depicts an adult male hummingbird, labelled 1, in flight above a beautiful flowering plant, a Chinese Trumpet-vine. Another male, labeled 2, is perched on a flower on the left and a female, labelled 3, is perched on a flower on the right. This hand-colored Audubon bird octavo-size lithograph sheet measures 10.25" high by 6.75" wide. It is in excellent condition. The original text pages, 185-186, from Audubon's 19th century publication are included. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio size. Due to their expense they were purchased in rather small numbers by the wealthy. To reach a larger audience, Audubon, with the help of his sons and J. T. Bowen, published a smaller octavo sized lithograph version, which were much more affordable. With the success of his bird projects, Audubon then turned his attention to four-legged animals. He explored the Missouri River in 1843 sketching the four-legged animals he encountered in their natural setting. His expedition covered some of the same regions recently explored by Lewis and Clark, traveling from present day Alaska to Mexico. Audubon realized that this was an opportunity to document these animals in the still relatively pristine American wilderness, before man encroached on their environment. Between 1845 and 1848, Audubon and his sons John Woodhouse Audubon...

'Aquarium' German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Central vertical fold as issued. 240mm by 305mm (sheet)

Hand-colored lithograph 1st ed. Royal Octavo Master printer: J.T. Bowen John James Audubon was born in Haiti in 1785. Most of his childhood was spent in ...

'Hunde II' (Dogs) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Central vertical fold as issued. 240mm by 305mm (sheet)

This is a remarkable hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Euplocomus Vielloti" (Viellot's Crested Fireback) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Asia", publi...

This is a beautiful and vibrant hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Parus Major (Great Tit birds) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain ", published ...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Reddish Egret, 1. Adult, Full Spring Plumage 2. Young in Full Spring Plumage Two Years Old", No. 75, Plate 371 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1870-1871. It depicts an adult reddish egret standing in the water with leg up, looking to the left at a young white egret standing on land looking to the right at the adult bird. A beautiful landscape is depicted. This original hand-colored Audubon egret...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Washington Sea Eagle", No. 3, Plate 13, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1856-1871. It depicts an adult male sea eagle perched on a rock. This is an excerpt from Audubon's own description of this magnificent eagle, which includes how he came up with the name "Washington Sea Eagle": "The name which I have chosen for this new species of Eagle, “The Bird of Washington,” may, by some, be considered as preposterous and unfit; but as it is indisputably the noblest bird of its genus that has yet been discovered in the United States, I trust I shall be allowed to honour it with the name of one yet nobler, who was the saviour of his country, and whose name will ever be dear, to it. To those who may be curious to know my reasons, I can only say, that, as the new world gave me birth and liberty, the great man who ensured its independence is next to my heart. He had a nobility of mind, and a generosity of soul, such as are seldom possessed. He was brave, so is the Eagle; like it, too, he was the terror of his foes; and his fame, extending from pole to pole, resembles the majestic soarings of the mightiest of the feathered tribe...

This is an original rare and extremely collectible 1st royal octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "American Swan", No. 77, Plate 384, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts an adult white American Swan swimming in a body of water. Plants with yellow flowers are in the foreground and hills are in the background. This original rare first edition hand-colored Audubon bird lithograph has a mildly wavy lower edge of the paper where it was previously bound. It is otherwise in excellent condition. The sheet measures 6.63" x 10.13". The original text pages 226-234 are included. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio size. Due to their expense they were purchased in rather small numbers by the wealthy. To reach a larger audience, Audubon, with the help of his sons and J. T. Bowen, published a smaller octavo sized lithograph version, which were much more affordable. With the success of his bird projects, Audubon then turned his attention to four-legged animals. He explored the Missouri River in 1843 sketching the four-legged animals he encountered in their natural setting. His expedition covered some of the same regions recently explored by Lewis and Clark, traveling from present day Alaska to Mexico. Audubon realized that this was an opportunity to document these animals in the still relatively pristine American wilderness, before man encroached on their environment. Between 1845 and 1848, Audubon and his sons John Woodhouse Audubon and Victor Gifford Audubon produced a set of elephant folio sized lithographs that were primarily engraved and hand colored by J. T. Bowen in Philadelphia. The publication, which included text descriptions of the animals was published 3 years before Audubon died. As with the birds, this was followed by a three-volume set of 155 octavo-sized plates entitled “The Quadrupeds of North America” completed and published by Audubon’s sons, John, Jr. and Victor. Audubon prints continue to be popular and a wise investment. The double elephant folio set...

Aquatint print of an owl perched on a branch with bright yellow eyes. The work is signed by the artist. It is framed in a wooden frame with a burlap matte. Artist Biography: Kaiko M...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Raccoon", No. 13, Plate LXI, 61, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America", printed and color...

'Hunde I' (Dogs) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Central vertical fold as issued. 240mm by 305mm (sheet)

'Einsiedlerkrebse' (Hermit crabs) German wood-engraving, circa 1895. 240mm by 155mm (sheet)

'Brontops Robustus, Marsh 1/4' Lithograph by Emil Crisand after the drawing by Frederick Berger, under the supervision of Othniel Charles Marsh. Depicts dinosaur fossil...

'Crustacea' Copper-line engraving with original hand-colouring. From Baron Georges Cuvier's (1769-1832) 'Animal Kingdom', published in London in 1837. 210mm by 130mm (sheet)

Greyhound 1773-1802 Engraving 14 x 10 inches Framed: 24 x 21 inches

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored 1st octavo edition lithograph entitled "Whooping Crane, Male, adult", No. 63, Plate 313 from Audubon...

The oeuvre belongs to the series The Birds of America, published between 1822 and 1837. It was designed by John James Audubon and engraved, printed, and colored by R. Havell in 1834....

This is an original rare and extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Brown Pelican, Young First Winter", No. 85, Plate 424, fr...

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Golden Eagle", No. 3, Plate 12 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowe...

Joseph Fleischmann, 'Whaling' (Hartingers Wandtafeln: Zoologie T. XXXII), monumental vintage color lithograph, 1900. Signed in the matrix, lower right. A superb, beautifully nuanced impression, on cream wove paper, the full sheet with margins (1 1/2 to 2 3/16 inches), in very good condition. Sheet size 28 x 38 1/2 inches (711 x 978 mm). The full sheet, unmounted and unmatted—shipped carefully rolled and protected. Rendering by A. Berger after Joseph Fleischmann. Published by Carl Gerold’s Son, Vienna, 1900. This Artic whaling scene depicts a Greenland whale in the foreground pursued by whalers. A whaling ship is seen in the background and at right, another whale among icebergs with seagulls overhead. The print by Albert Berger...

This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Pernis Apivorus (The Honey Buzzard) by John Gould, plate 6 in volume 1 of his "Birds of Great Britain", published in London between 1862 and 1873. The print depicts an adult Honey Buzzard perched on a branch of a leafy tree in the foreground and three others in the background. The bird in the foreground has an insect in its beak and others are in flight on the right This striking framed Gould...

This is a beautiful hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscicapa Collarus" (White-collared Flycatcher birds) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain",...

'Brontops Robustus, Marsh 1/4' Lithograph by Emil Crisand after the drawing by Frederick Berger, under the supervision of Othniel Charles Marsh. Depicts dinosaur fossil...

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 26; Cocoa plant, caterpillar, pupa, and butterflies. The Netherlands: 1705. En...

'Rinder' (Cattle Breeds) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Key to animals in German below the image. 245mm by 305mm (sheet). Central vertical fold as issued.

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Yellow Crowned Night Heron, 1. Adult Male Spring Plumage, 2. Young in October", No. 73, Plate 364 from Audubo...

Four plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: LIV, LV, LVI, & LVII. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Virginian Rail, 1. Male, 2. Female, 3. Young", No. 63, Plate 311 from Audubon's "Birds of Americ...

'Auslandische Cikaden' (Foreign cicadas) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. 240mm by 155mm (sheet)

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored quadruped lithograph entitled "Caribou or American Rein Deer", No. 26, Plate CXXVI, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of Nor...

This is a beautiful hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscicapa Atricapilla" (Pied Flycatcher) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain ", published i...

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Townsend's Rocky Mountain Hare", No. 1, Plate III, from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America",...

This is a hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Gallinago Major" (Great Snipe) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain", published in London in 1862-1879...

'Alpenpflanzen' (Alpine Plants) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Central vertical fold as issued. 240mm by 305mm (sheet)

This is a rare 18th Century hand-colored copperplate engraving entitled "Der Storch Ciconia" (White Stork) by Johann Leonhard Frisch is plate 19...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscipeta Incei" ( (Ince's Paradise Flycatcher)) by John Gould, which is plate 19 from his monograph "The Birds of Great Brita...

This is a rare 18th Century hand-colored copperplate engraving entitled "Ciconia Nigra" (Black Stork) by Johann Leonhard Frisch is plate 197 fro...

'Strahlinge' (Protozoa - Radiolarians or Radioza) German lithograph, circa 1895. Key to protozoa in German below the image. 250mm by 305mm (sheet). Central vertical fold as iss...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Otidiphaps Nobilis" (Pheasant Pigeon) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Asia", published in London in 1862-1879. The print, which was drawn by Gould and H. C. Richter and lithographed by Walter, depicts two Pheasant Pigeon birds...

This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Nycticorax Griseus" (Night-Heron) by John Gould from his monograph "The Birds of Great Britain...