Very pretty butterflies hand-coloured lithograph by H.N. Humphreys c1843.

by Humphreys, H.N.

Antique print of beautiful butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalis.
Butterflies: Male Apatura Iris (Purple Emperor), Female, Underside, Caterpillar, Chrysalis.
Limenitis Camilla (White Admiral), Underside, Caterpillar, Chrysalis.
Plants:  Quercus sessiliflora (Sessile-fruited Oak), Lonicer Pericylmenum (Common Honeysuckle).

Original  hand-coloured lithograph arranged and illustrated by H.N. Humphreys Esq., with characters and descriptions by J. O. Westwood, Esq. F.L.S. (secretary of the Entomological Society), for British Butterflies and their Transformations published in London c1843.

Having spent years in Italy studying Greek and Roman coins, archaelogy, exquisite medieval manuscripts and the art of writing and printing, Humphreys' representation of the lifecycle transformations of butterflies and moths with caterpillar, chrysalis and their host plants was commended by the Curators and adopted at the British Museum. The exquisite medieval manuscripts he studied in Italy are surely reflected in his beautiful illustrations of nature. About natural history, Humphreys wrote, “.. cannot conceive a more pleasing and natural introduction to its general study than entomology, of which I think the division of Lepidoptera.. the most easy and attractive section.  H. N. Humphreys, Esq.”

It is a pity this beautiful lithograph has soiling. (Price reduced.) Size is 285 x 210mm (11.25 x 8.25 inches).