Uru Taurana. Faucon à joues nues. Fine engraving c1836.

by Buffon-Lacepede

Grey-bellied Goshawk and African Harrier Hawk antique print.

Fine hand-coloured steel engraving of birds of prey with contemporary beautiful colour, engraved for Suites a Buffon, updating the enormous endeavour of Georges-Louis le Clerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788), who produced 36 rather small volumes of Histoire Naturelle Générale et Particulière avec la description du cabinet du roi (Natural History, General and Particular, with the description from the King’s library), published from 1749 to 1803... after Buffon died it was completed and published by Bernard Germain Étienne de la Ville sur Illon, Comte de Lacepede (1756-1825), who had assisted Buffon in his work.

Lacepede employed scientific artists to enlarge Buffon's tiny illustrations, reduce the number to each page and make them more realistic. When the Jardin du Roi (King's Garden) was re-organised as the Jardin du Plantes, Lacépede was appointed to head the Museum's study of reptiles and fish. Over the following years, Lacépede continued updating Buffon's work. The majority of Lacepede's work was published in Paris by Pourrat Brothers, but several naturalists and publishers contributed to later editions, with varied styles of embellishment and presentation of wildlife.

This lovely engraving was unfortunately printed quite off-centre, and the page is slightly soiled. Size: 25 x 16cm (9.5 x 6.25 inches).