Prepona-Type Butterflies (Prepona / Archaeoprepona Group) – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving, Exotic Butterflies (1835)

Prepona-Type Butterflies: Deep Tones and Electric Blue Highlights

This original 1835 hand-colored copper engraving depicts two striking tropical butterflies belonging to the Prepona / Archaeoprepona group, admired for their deep coloration and iridescent blue accents. The plate forms part of Exotic Butterflies, produced under the scientific direction of Hippolyte Lucas and engraved by Pauquet. On the original plate, the species appear under the historical names Nymphalis visus and Nymphalis pyrrhus.

Presented in a balanced vertical composition, the two specimens highlight subtle variations within a closely related group. The engraving reflects the refined visual language of nineteenth-century natural history illustration, combining scientific observation with a strong decorative sensibility.

The interplay between deep brown tones and luminous blue bands creates a sophisticated visual contrast. This engraving stands out as an elegant piece of antique butterfly wall art, particularly suited to interiors seeking depth, texture, and understated colour intensity.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The upper butterfly is defined by rich chocolate-brown wings, subtly marked by horizontal bands and highlighted by a vivid electric blue edge along the hindwings. The scalloped margins and eye-like markings introduce a rhythmic visual pattern that enhances both movement and depth.

Below, the second specimen presents a more complex interplay of tones, combining pale cream, deep brown, and iridescent blue areas. The distribution of lighter patches across the wings adds texture and variation, creating a layered and dynamic composition that complements the darker specimen above.

About the Species

Butterflies of the Prepona and related groups were highly prized in nineteenth-century collections for their iridescent coloration and strong visual contrast. Their distinctive wing patterns made them particularly appealing to both scientists and collectors.

Plates from Lucas’s Exotic Butterflies captured these species with remarkable precision, transforming them into enduring examples of antique butterfly engraving and refined natural history art.

Condition Report

Very good antique condition. Fresh original hand-coloring with strong engraved impression. Printed on 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: Prepona-type butterflies (Prepona / Archaeoprepona group)
• Historical names on plate: Nymphalis visus, Nymphalis pyrrhus
• Year: 1835
• Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
• Paper: Original 19th-century laid paper
• Watermark: None present
• Sheet size: approx. 24 × 15 cm