Nicholas II Huet (Female Elephant) Collection de Mammiferes... Paris 1808. Framed Sold

No. 18  "L'Elephant Femelle. Dessine d'apres Nature par Huet fils Peintre de la Menagerie de Sa Mageste l'Imperatorice Reine et du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle"

Delicately engraved and beautifully presented portrait of a female elephant.  This original uncolored engraving was created by Nicholas II Huet the Younger (France 1770-1828), a skilled watercolorist and engraver who was notable as a natural history draughtsman.  Huet took part in Napoleon's scientific and artistic exploration of Egypt where he documented hundreds of natural history subjects. He was designated painter to the Museum d'Historie Naturelle and for the menagerie of the Empress Josephine, a collection of animals, birds and plants.  Huet created a series of 246 animal watercolors which were then made into engravings and published in 1808 as Collection de Mammiferes du Museum d'Historie Naturelle printed by Lambert freres.  This depiction of the elephant in profile facing right, striding forward with her trunk alert and soul full eyes looking ahead.

Soft ground etching
19 5/8 x 15 5/8 inches sheet, 24 x 28 inches framed size.
Very good condition, margins lightly trimmed, paper a bit scuffed on outside edges.
Archivally framed .