Blue Mormon & Green Swallowtail (Papilio polymnestor, Papilio peranthus) – Original Engraving by Pauquet, Butterflies (1835)

Blue Mormon & Green Swallowtail: Luminous Tropical Contrast in Exotic Lepidoptera

This original 1835 hand-colored copper engraving depicts two magnificent tropical butterflies: Papilio polymnestor, commonly known as the Blue Mormon, and Papilio peranthus, a brilliant green swallowtail admired for its iridescent coloration. The plate forms part of Exotic Butterflies, produced under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas and drawn and engraved by Pauquet.

Presented in a balanced vertical composition against a clean ground, the two specimens appear almost like a carefully curated natural history display. The plate reflects the refined visual language of nineteenth-century natural history illustration, where scientific clarity and decorative elegance were deliberately intertwined.

Beyond its scientific interest, the engraving also possesses a strong decorative presence, making it especially appealing today as antique butterfly wall art for interiors shaped by a taste for natural history, colour, and historical refinement.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The upper butterfly, Papilio polymnestor, unfolds deep velvety black wings illuminated by soft blue patches that seem to glow against the dark surface. The pale blue hindwings are scattered with bold rounded markings, producing a striking rhythmic pattern that gives the insect an almost graphic clarity.

Below, Papilio peranthus reveals a radiant emerald-green brilliance across the wings, framed by dark margins and accented with subtle golden reflections near the body. The swallowtail extensions add an elegant sculptural line to the composition, creating a dramatic contrast between the cool blues above and the vibrant tropical greens below.

About the Species

Species of the genus Papilio were among the most admired butterflies within nineteenth-century natural history collections. Their large wings, vivid coloration, and elegant forms made them highly prized specimens for both scientific study and aesthetic appreciation.

Illustrated publications such as Lucas’s Exotic Butterflies allowed European naturalists and collectors to observe and compare species from distant tropical regions. Engraved plates like this one served not only as scientific records but also as enduring works of natural history art.

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 the 1835 publication. It is increasingly rare to find impressions preserved with such freshness of color and overall integrity.

Details

• Scientific direction: Hippolyte Lucas
• Artist & engraver: Pauquet
• Work: Exotic Butterflies
• Species: Blue Mormon & Green Swallowtail (Papilio polymnestor, Papilio peranthus)
• Year: 1835
• Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
• Paper: Original 19th-century laid paper
• Watermark: None present
• Sheet size: approx. 24 × 15 cm