Great Blue Butterflies and Red Fruits 1705 - 1771
anonymous
minneapolisinstituteofart
hand-colored-etching, print, engraving
hand-colored-etching
egg art
possibly oil pastel
handmade artwork painting
oil painting
fluid art
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
engraving
botanical art
watercolor
warm toned green
"Great Blue Butterflies and Red Fruits" is an 18th-century hand-colored engraving depicting two butterflies and a caterpillar on a branch with red berries. The meticulous detail and vibrant colors of the artwork are characteristic of the naturalist genre, popular during this period. The anonymous artist has captured the intricate beauty of these insects and their natural environment, showcasing the scientific interest in documenting the world's biodiversity. This print is a testament to the skillful artistry and scientific curiosity of its time.
Comments
Large, colorful insects such as this blue Morpho deidamia (Hüber) were highly prized by early natural history collectors. Merian illustrated the insects on a branch of the Barbados Cherry, a plant native to Suriname.
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