Fine antique engraving of a Rabbit and Hare, c1836.

by Buffon-Lacepede

Antique print of Rabbit and Hare c1836. Fine original hand-coloured steel engraving published in Paris for Bernard Germain Etienne de la Ville sur Illon, Comte de Lacepede (1756-1825), who updated the work he completed for Georges-Louis de Clerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788).

In 1785, Buffon appointed Lacepede as subdemonstrator at the Jardin du Roi in Paris. Lacepede assisted Buffon with publication of his monumental work, Histoire Naturelle Generale et Particuliere avec la description du cabinet du roi (Natural History, General and Specific with the description from the King’s library), published between 1749 and 1790. Buffon was a French naturalist, mathematician, biologist, cosmologist and author. Buffon's views influenced the next two generations of naturalists, including Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin. From 1798 to 1803 Lacepede published the final 8 volumes of Buffon’s work.

When the Jardin du Roi was re-organised as the Jardin du Plantes, Lacepede was appointed to head the study of reptiles and fish. Lacepede continued to add to and update Buffon's Suites Histoire Naturelle. Most of Lacepede's work was published in Paris by Pourrat Brothers.

Page measures 245 x 150mm (9 3/4 x 6 inches).