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Print 2018-269,7
Guêpier de Madagascar (Olive Bee-eater)
Print 2018-269,7

Guêpier de Madagascar (Olive Bee-eater)

Date1783
Engraver
Compiler 1707 - 1788
OriginEurope, France, Paris
MediumBlack and white line engraving and etching with period color
DimensionsOH: 12 1/2" x OW: 9 1/8"
Credit LineGift of Barnett Shepherd
Object number2018-269,7
DescriptionUpper margin reads: "259."
Lower margin reads: "par Martinet./ Guêpier de Madagascar."Label TextDepiction of the bird species “Guepier de Madagascar” engraved by Francois Nicolas Martinet for Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon’s “Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux,” [Volume 6] (Paris: De L'Imprimerie Royale, 1783), pl. 259.

Francois Nicholas Martinet engraved birds and animals for Buffon’s monumental series “Histoire Naturelle Generale et Particulaire” (of which this engraving was a part) which was published between 1749–1788 and comprised in 36 volumes. It was one of the most important compilations of animals and birds of the 18th century.ProvenanceBefore 2006, The Garage (New York, NY); 2006, purchased by Barnett Shepherd (Staten Island, NY); 2018-present, given to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).