George Edwards - Rare Ornithology Prints

Capture the untamed spirit of eighteenth-century naturalistic exploration with this magnificent hand-coloured copperplate pair by the master of historical ornithology, George Edwards (1694-1773). These works go far beyond simple animal illustration; they embody the pure aesthetics of curiosity and scientific passion of the Enlightenment. The brilliant color balance and dynamic compositions convey a subtle language of prestige, luxury, and intellectual depth, making them a valuable addition to any high-end interior or a solid, lasting investment for specialized graphic art collections. A rare opportunity to acquire a historically interconnected pair that draws the eye and elevates the atmosphere of any sophisticated gallery. This curated lot includes two exceptionally expressive plates from Edwards’s celebrated historical production: Plate 1 (top): “The Marsh Hawk and Reeds,” an iconic and powerful portrayal of a raptor perched on a rock with its fresh prey, juxtaposed with a smaller passerine in the background. Plate 2 (bottom): a highly detailed and elegant composition depicting a pair of blue flycatchers or related warblers actively engaged around their intricately woven nest. Both plates are authentic two-color copper engravings of the period with rich hand-applied watercolour pigments that provide an organic, tactile depth impossible to replicate in modern print. Condition: excellent; 18th century (mid-1700s, circa 1745–1760); polychrome colour (period natural pigments: cobalt blue mimicry, earths, oxide greens, ochre). Printer’s mark inscribed on the original matrix: “G. Edwards” at the margin. The lot will be adequately packaged and shipped with contracted couriers and online tracking. For this lot, shipments outside the European Community are not made.