Pl. 983 (Female Goose Cape of Good Hope) Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Paris: 1780-1786. $695.00

Plate 983  “Femelle de l’Oye du Cap de Bonne-Esperance”

Francois Martinet was one of the foremost bird artists of 18th century France. He collaborated  with Count Georges-Louis Leclerc du Buffon to produce these charming brightly colored engravings of exotic and common birds. The prints are highly valued by collectors and designers. In Fine Bird Books, Sacheverell Sitwell notes that Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux was "the most ambitious and comprehensive book which had appeared at the time of its publication and ranks still as one of the most important of all bird books from the collector's point of view." (Sitwell, p. 64).

Martinet's birds are charming, decorative works and these framed with custom hand painted wood moldings and French wash mattings are particularly delightful.

Hand colored copper plate engravings on laid paper.
10 x 8 1/4 inches, plate, 18 x 15 3/4 inches framed size.
Framed, excellent condition.