Argynnis Butterflies with yellow Viola lutea. Humphreys lithograph c1849.

by Humphreys, H.N.

Argynnis Charlotta, Argynnis Paphia, Argynnis Aphrodite. Antique Print.
Butterflies: Argynnis Charlotta (A. Aglaia) & underside, Argynnis Paphia (female), Argynnis Aphrodite & underside.
Plant: Viola lutea (wild yellow Heartease).

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 c1849.

Humphreys (1810-1879), was a British naturalist, entomologist, illustrator - and numismatist. His presentation of the butterflies with caterpillar and chrysalis, impressed curators at the British Museum, who adopted this method of illustrating the transformation lifecycle of insects. Humphreys' artwork reflects his study, in Italy, of exquisite medieval manuscripts.
He wrote: “The study of natural history is the learning of the characters with which the wonderful story of nature is written.. 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.”

Striking butterflies lithograph. Very faint soiling and rubs. Page size is 285 x 210mm (11.25 x 8.25 inches).