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Common Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Pauquet, Antique Print
€290.00
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Original 1835 hand-colored engraving of Ornithoptera priamus (Common Green Birdwing), drawn and engraved by Pauquet under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Common Green Birdwing: Monumental Symmetry in Exotic Lepidoptera
This original 1835 hand-colored copper engraving depicts Ornithoptera priamus, the Common Green Birdwing, one of the most celebrated tropical butterflies of the nineteenth century. The plate forms part of Exotic Butterflies, produced under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas and drawn and engraved by Pauquet.
Isolated against a clean ground and presented with striking symmetry, the specimen is rendered with museum-like precision — a disciplined image that unites scientific clarity with bold decorative presence.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
The wings unfold in monumental balance: deep velvety blacks frame radiant emerald-green panels that appear almost luminous against the white field. The upper wings display elongated green bands that guide the eye outward, while the lower wings soften into rounded forms with delicate tonal transitions.
At the centre, the golden-yellow abdomen introduces a vertical axis of chromatic intensity, anchoring the composition and heightening contrast. The engraving preserves venation and structure with measured precision, while the hand-coloring adds depth and vitality — transforming a preserved specimen into a striking work of natural history art.
About the Species
Ornithoptera butterflies, commonly known as birdwings, are among the largest and most spectacular Lepidoptera of the Indo-Australian region. The male of Ornithoptera priamus is especially admired for its intense emerald coloration and dramatic wing span.
In the early nineteenth century, such species symbolised the allure of distant territories and expanding natural history collections. Their scale, colour, and rarity made them ideal subjects for engraved publication — embodiments of both scientific discovery and aesthetic fascination.
Heritage Stories
This engraving belongs to the remarkable series Exotic Butterflies, published in 1835 under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas — a period when nature was celebrated through monumental illustrated works, now practically unachievable.
Discover the historical context in our editorial feature: Hippolyte Lucas: Scientific Vision and the Golden Age of Exotic Butterflies.
The plate was drawn and engraved by Pauquet, whose refined copperplate technique translated real specimens into enduring images of exceptional clarity: Pauquet: The Engraver Behind the Exotic Butterflies.
Condition Report
Very good antique condition. Fresh and vibrant original hand-coloring with strong engraved impression. Printed on fine original nineteenth-century paper. Minor age toning consistent with 1835 publication.Well-preserved examples of this quality are becoming increasingly scarce, particularly with such fresh color and clarity.
Details
- Scientific direction: Hippolyte Lucas
- Artist & engraver: Pauquet
- Work: Exotic Butterflies
- Species: Common Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus)
- Year: 1835
- Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
- Paper: Fine original antique paper
- Sheet size: approx. 24 × 15 cm
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Original 1835 hand-colored engraving of Ornithoptera priamus (Common Green Birdwing), drawn and engraved by Pauquet under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas.