British Butterfly (Pl. 40) by Henry Noel Humphreys

British Butterfly (Pl. 40) by Henry Noel Humphreys

C. 1853

Hand Colored Lithograph

Presenting a spare and elegant scientific study from 1841, this fine 19th-century natural history illustration depicts the complete lifecycle of a single butterfly species under the heading 40. The composition vertically tracks the insect's metamorphosis, positioning a vibrant green-winged adult perched on a twig at the top, a spread-winged specimen displaying textured brown underwings in the center, and its early lifecycle forms, a striped green caterpillar and a suspended dark chrysalis, spaced neatly below. Drawn by the celebrated artist and writer Henry Noel Humphreys and accompanied by descriptions from the preeminent English entomologist John Obadiah Westwood, this hand-finished lithograph was published originally in London by William Smith circa 1841 for the acclaimed volume, British Butterflies and Their Transformations.

This work stems from a milestone period in 19th-century natural history publishing, marking a highly successful collaboration between Humphreys' artistic flair and Westwood's rigorous scientific expertise. John Obadiah Westwood was a preeminent British entomologist and archaeologist who later became the Hope Professor of Zoology at Oxford, revered for his immense contributions to insect taxonomy. Unlike earlier works that isolated specimens in stiff, sterile rows, this plate is historically important because it helped pioneer the ecological format—showing insects dynamically interacting with their specific host plants. This aesthetic and educational approach fundamentally changed how the public visualized biology, transforming scientific documentation into a widely sought-after art form during the Victorian era.

Dimensions:  H 10” x 6 ½” W

Condition: Slightly toned with age