William Lewin
Speckled-Diver, Pl. 229

Name: Speckled-Diver, Pl. 229
Brand: William Lewin
Price: 200 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

From publication The Birds of Great Britain, Systematically Arranged, Accurately Engraved, and Painted from Nature. Published 1793-1801 in London. Markings Watermark: 1794 J.Whatman Inscriptions Plate: [bottom] TW Lewin del et sculp Publish'd as the Act directs Nov. 7, 1793; [top right] 229 Hand-colored etching by William Lewin (1747-1795) & Sons, illustrated for "The Birds of Great Britain, Systematically Arranged, Accurately Engraved, and Painted from Nature" London, 1793-1801 (second edition). William Lewin was a highly regarded naturalist and natural history illustrator. The first edition of his "Birds of Great Britain," published in 1789, was a remarkable undertaking. His was the first attempt to include all the eggs of the British birds in a work on birds, and it contained 323 original watercolor illustrations, all of which he hand-painted himself sixty times for the first edition. He began a second edition of new, more detailed etched plates in 1793 with the help of his three sons (Thomas, Thomas William and John William), allowing for a larger run of 150 copies to be published. He died before completing this edition and the remaining plates were executed and published by his sons, who are individually credited on the plates. The illustrations have a delicacy and classic simplicity of line which make them quite unlike most 18th century bird art. Print comes with accompanying text page.

Creator:

William Lewin (1747 - 1795)

Dimensions:

Height: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)

Medium:

Etching

Period:

Late 18th Century

Framing:

Framing Options Available

Condition:

Small stain above upper left image.