Westwood Insect & Butterfly Print 1848 Phaneroptera Perlaria Insect

Phaneroptera Perlaria Insect
8 1/4 by 10 3/4 inches
WWD16 $65

It was a pleasure to discover this rare and extraordinarily beautiful work on insects by John Obadiah Westwood (1805-1893). Westwood, from a modest working class background, was educated as a solicitor but never practiced law. His passion was entomology and archaeology and he became one of the most prominent British entomologists of the period. Under his stewardship, the Entomological Society of London was an influential & pivotal organization, with meetings attended by such luminaries as Charles Darwin.

A Hope professor at Oxford University, Westwood published prolifically including An Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects, Arcana Entomologia. In this work, The Cabinet of Oriental Entomology, he showcased native insects of India with the region's orchids.

Each print measures approximately 8 1/4 inches wide by 10 3/4 inches long on creamy paper free of and foxing or other defects. The hand coloring is vibrant with the exotic butterflies and insects artistically arranged on equally exotic flowers, with many orchid species portrayed. A preponderance of the species is from India & China. With each image enhanced by gum arabic, the hand coloring is extremely vivid & an intriguing addition to any collection.