Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Moses Harris
Butterflies & Moths in a Landscape: 18th C. Hand-colored Engraving by M. Harris

1766

$975
£724.80
€848.51
CA$1,363.61
A$1,522.50
CHF 794.18
MX$18,721.46
NOK 10,023.54
SEK 9,436.81
DKK 6,329.87
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This is a rare, original first edition hand-colored engraving depicting the natural history of butterflies and moths, which is plate 10 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aurelian: or Natural History of English Insects; Namely Moths & Butterflies", published in London in 1766. The engraving depicts the natural history developmental stages of the Oak Tree & Purple Hair-Streak Butterfly, the Green Silver Lines Moth, the Pea Green Moth, the Dun Bar Moth, the Scollop Winged Broad Bar Moth along with the botanical environment in which the insects are often found. The inscription below includes a dedication to a subscriber or patron, accompanied with the appropriate coat of arms. This dedication reads, 'To the Rt. Honorable Lady Hentrietta Alicia Wentworth. This Plate is humbly Dedicated by her Ladyship's most Obliged & Obedient Serv’t Moses Harris.' This beautifully hand-colored engraving is printed on wove paper with wide margins. It is signed in plate in the lower right. The sheet measure 16" high and 12. 25" wide. There are a few tiny spots, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition. Moses Harris (1730-1787) was a notable English entomologist and engraver, known for his significant contributions to the field of entomology and color theory. He left a lasting impact on the fields of entomology and color theory through his meticulous illustrations, scientific descriptions, and insightful exploration of colors. Harris made significant contributions to entomology with works like "The Aurelian or natural history of English insects" in 1766 in which this engraving was published. His works continue to be valued for their scientific accuracy and artistic merit. He was "one of the most outstanding authors of entomological literature during the eighteenth century." (Lisney) His work is considered "a timeless classic" and the "most celebrated of all the early books about butterflies and moths." (Salmon). Harris was not only an entomologist but also a skilled artist, showcasing his insect drawings at the Royal Academy in 1785. He illustrated various books, including Dru Drury's "Illustrations of Natural History" and John Coakley Lettsom's "The Naturalist's and Traveller's Companion." In his work "The Natural System of Colours" published in 1766, Harris delved into color theory, exploring the creation of colors from three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. He discussed how these colors could be mixed to produce a wide range of hues, emphasizing their relationships and coding. Harris' color theory work was influential in understanding color relationships and the principles behind color mixing.
  • Creator:
    Moses Harris (1731 - 1785, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1766
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 12.25 in (31.12 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 48801stDibs: LU1173214088602

More From This Seller

View All
Butterflies & Moths in Nature: An Antique Hand-colored Engraving by Moses Harris
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the the Brown Hairstreak Butterfly, the Larke Skipper Butterfly, the Small Skipper Butterfly, the Scarce Mar...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Moths in Their Natural Landscape: Antique Hand-colored Engraving by Moses Harris
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored engraving depicting the natural history of Pinkunderwing Moths, Cream Spotted Tyger Moths in their natural botanical environment, which is plate 4 from Moses H...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Admirable Butterflies, Magpie Moths: A Hand-colored Engraving by Moses Harris
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Admirable Butterfly and the Small Magpie Moth, which is plate 6 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aure...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Peacock Butterfly, Moth & Botanical: An 18th C. Hand-colored M. Harris Engraving
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a rare, original first edition hand-colored engraving of Peacock Butterflies and Water Betony Moths depicted in their natural botanical environment, which is plate 8 from Mos...
Category

Mid-18th Century Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Moths and a Lady Bug in a Landscape: A Hand-colored Engraving by Moses Harris
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored engraving depicting the natural history of moths and a lady bug, which is plate 22 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aurelian: or Natural History of English Insects; Namely Moths & Butterflies", first published in London in 1766 and this from an 1840 edition. The engraving depicts the natural history developmental stages of the Burnished Brass Moth, the Dark Gothic...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Tortoise-shell Butterfly, Hawk Moth: Antique Hand-colored Engraving by M. Harris
By Moses Harris
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Tortoise-shell Butterfly and Privet Hawk Moth, which is plate 2 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aure...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

You May Also Like

The Aurelian, A Natural History English Moths Butterflies Plate XXVII 1778 ed.
By Moses Harris
Located in Paonia, CO
Moses Harris ( British 1731-1785 ) The Aurelian, A Natural History of English Moths and Butterflies Hand colored engraving – Plate XXVII 1778 edition Plate XXVII is from The A...
Category

1770s More Prints

Materials

Engraving

Hawk-Moths and Butterflies: Hand-Colored Engravings, Published in 1805
Located in Langweer, NL
The composition of these two hand-colored copperplate engravings presents a visually rich study of moths, butterflies, and their life stages, as published in Friedrich Johann Bertuch...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

18th-Century Hand-Colored Engraving of Butterflies and Larvae by J. B. Schmuzer
Located in Langweer, NL
This hand-colored engraving, titled *Insecta XXXIV*, is a late 18th-century natural history illustration showcasing butterflies and their life stages. It features two species depic...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Aurelian, A Natural History of English Moths and Butterflies Plate XLII
By Moses Harris
Located in Paonia, CO
Moses Harris ( British 1731-1785 ) The Aurelian, A Natural History of English Moths and Butterflies Plate XLII 1778 edition hand colored edition 17.88 x 11.00 good condition Pla...
Category

1770s More Prints

Materials

Engraving

Esper Antique 18th century Butterfly engraving with original hand-colouring
By JC Bock
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A German copper-line engraving with original hand-colouring of butterflies. Printed on hand made laid paper. Engraved by JC Bock. From Eugenius Esper's "Die Schmetterlinge in Abbild...
Category

Late 18th Century Naturalistic More Prints

Materials

Engraving

Butterflies, English antique natural history Lepidoptera chromolithograph print
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
English butterfly chromolithograph, circa 1900. Plate number top right. From an English series of illustrations of butterflies and moths. Butterflies / moths are numbered and there i...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph