Martinet - Gyrfalcon

Martinet - Gyrfalcon
This rare and charming, hand-colored bird engraving is from Francois Nicolas Martinet's Histoire des Oiseaux, peints dans tous leurs aspects.... The work was published in Paris by Chez L'Auteur between 1787 and 1790.

Martinet was one of the greatest birds artists of the 18th century. He worked for the French court as an engraver and artist. Martinet's illustrations are accurate and beautifully artistic.

"The plates show a highly original approach to ornithological illustration: they often include architectural backgrounds (the peacock with tail spread perching on a roof, barn owls in a courtyard) and occasionally the birds are shown against contemporary interiors (a white crested cockatoo perches on the arm of a wall-light with decorative wall-paper in the background). The colouring is particularly delicate with occasional heightening in gilt where required, and with some of the backgrounds supplied in pure watercolour, without an engraved base. The work was issued erratically in parts over a number of years and complete copies are therefore particularly scarce." (Cottrell, Contemporary collectors..)


Paper Size: ~ 7 1/2" by 4"

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be some imperfections or fox marks that are mostly to the edges of some of the prints. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 7 1/2" by 4"