An unusual set of four 18th Century copper plate engravings by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Buffon was born in Burgundy in 1707 and died in Paris in 1788. Buffon devoted much of his life to the study of ornithology and natural history. It has been written that 'Buffon was the father of all thought in natural history in the second half of the 18th Century'.This set of four engravings are wonderfully detailed studies of beaks, they are superbly drawn and the engravings are printed on original handmade Whatman paper. Each antique print is beautifully hand coloured in the subtle palette of the 18th Century. This set of antique copper plate engravings are in excellent condition. The set have been expertly framed with a deep inner slip framing the image in a subtle antique gold. The high quality outer frame perfectly compliments the set and has been chosen to sit decoratively in a traditional or modern setting. This is an outstanding set of 18th Century prints that would please the historian, ornithologist, print collector and interior designer.

c. 1780

Overall height: 16" (40.5cm)

Overall width: 13" (33cm)

Height of image: 6" (15.25cm)

Width of image: 3.5" (9cm)

Ref: W278