Elegant butterflies combining bright orange, yellow, and white tones. A refined 1835 engraving with strong visual contrast and balance.
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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This original 1835 hand-colored copper engraving depicts three elegant butterflies historically associated with Pieris, including Pieris aganippe, Pieris pyrrha, and Pieris argia. The plate belongs to the celebrated Exotic Butterflies series directed by Hippolyte Lucas and engraved by Pauquet.
The composition is defined by a dynamic interplay of bright orange and yellow tones contrasted with deep black and soft white wings, creating a vibrant yet balanced visual effect.
With its strong chromatic contrasts and refined structure, this engraving is particularly suited as antique butterfly wall art, offering both decorative energy and elegance.
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The upper butterfly presents a richly patterned composition combining white, black, red, and yellow details, creating an intricate and highly decorative effect.
The central specimen introduces bold orange wings with strong black accents, forming the visual core of the engraving.
The lower butterfly softens the composition with luminous white wings edged in black, providing balance and visual clarity.
Butterflies of the genus Pieris are known for their clean wing structures and striking contrasts between light and dark tones.
Their visual clarity and color variation made them particularly valued subjects in nineteenth-century natural history illustration.
This engraving reflects that diversity, presenting multiple chromatic expressions within a unified and harmonious composition.
This engraving is part of the renowned Lucas – Exotic Butterflies series, published in 1835 during the golden age of natural history illustration.
Learn more in our article: Hippolyte Lucas and Exotic Butterflies .
The engraving was executed by Pauquet, whose refined technique allowed vivid contrasts and intricate patterns to be rendered with exceptional precision: Pauquet: Master Engraver .
Very good antique condition. Bright, well-preserved hand-coloring with vivid orange, yellow, and white tones. Printed on original nineteenth-century paper. Minor age toning consistent with age. Examples with such balanced contrast and visual clarity are increasingly difficult to find.
Specific References
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